2026 Compare Cities Economy:
Sacramento, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Santa Barbara, is 26% more than it is in Sacramento and is 23% above the National Average.
- Sacramento unemployment rate is 7.7%.
- Santa Barbara unemployment rate is 4.1%.
 Sacramento, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth34.8%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes8.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$35,793  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$89,243$69,021
 Family Median Income$82,717  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Sacramento, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock8.4%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.3%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock4.4%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K7.4%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock7.3%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K7.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock7.9%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K13.8%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock16.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K7.8%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock19.6%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Sacramento, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance15.9%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock8.7%6.5%
 Community, social services1.9%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.3%1.2%
 Education, library5.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock3.3%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology5.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.7%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.8%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock8.3%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.3%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.2%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.3%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.7%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair7.1%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock6.7%13.1%
Reviews for Sacramento    117 Reviews

It is easy to say negative things about Sacramento as we have many problems that are common throughout California. Crime & homelessness rates are high here. Housing is  More

   |    Reply

High, high crime rate and car theft capitol of the country. Everyone knows someone who’s had their car stolen or have had their own car stolen. Sacramento’s violent  More

   |    Reply

The city is very mixed. I will start off by saying it has some excellent historical and educational sites to look at. It is a contractual obligation that you look at the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Sacramento

Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

   |    Reply

If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Barbara


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.