The Sacramento metro is home to 2,406,563 people (up 5.0% over five years), with a median household income of $93,986. Typical rent of $2,269/month works out to 29.0% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Sacramento's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.9% |
| Professional & management | 12.7% |
| Retail trade | 10.4% |
| Public administration | 9.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.2% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.0% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Sacramento market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,269/month suggests a household income around $91,000/year. The metro's median household income is $93,986.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.9%), Professional & management (12.7%), Retail trade (10.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).