City comparison
No. Sacramento's crime index is 181 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 213 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Sacramento is significant: $61,953 median household versus $87,321. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,779 in Sacramento.
Sacramento is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Sacramento is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Sacramento are 2,452 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $382 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $25,368 (41%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 181 in Sacramento, down 80 points (31%).
The move
Sacramento and Philadelphia are 2,452 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $382 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $25,368 (29%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 261 in Philadelphia, up 80 points (44%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Sacramento, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and Sacramento? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 21% cheaper than Sacramento
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Philadelphia is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $382/month back in your pocket ($4,584/year). Over five years that's $22,920 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Sacramento, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Sacramento? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
41% higher
Sacramento's median income is 41% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 41% higher in Sacramento (about $25,368 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Sacramento is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
31% lower crime
Sacramento's crime index is 31% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Sacramento
Winner181 (100 = avg)
Sacramento's crime index is 181 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Sacramento. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Sacramento is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Sacramento
Winner69°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Sacramento averages about 69°F (81°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Sacramento sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Sacramento scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 41% higher ($87,321), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Sacramento is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than Philadelphia (181 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Pay is the headline: Sacramento median income is $87,321 versus $61,953 in Philadelphia (29% higher). Rent still runs $1,779/month in Sacramento and $1,397/month in Philadelphia, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Sacramento rates.
Sacramento still pays more locally ($87,321 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Sacramento rates.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,779 in Sacramento.
If local pay drives your move, Sacramento is the stronger match ($87,321 median income against $61,953). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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