Elder Care Cost: San Francisco, CA vs Sacramento, CA (2026)
Sacramento, CA assisted living runs $5,500/month — $1,500/month less than San Francisco, CA's $7,000/month. That's $18,000/year.
San Francisco, CA, CA
$7,000
assisted living/month
+$2,500 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA, CA
$5,500
assisted living/month
+$1,000 vs national avg
San Francisco, CA vs Sacramento, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $7,000/mo | $5,500/mo ✓ |
| Nursing Home (Private) | $14,000/mo | $10,800/mo ✓ |
| In-Home Aide | $8,200/mo | $6,500/mo ✓ |
| Memory Care | $9,600/mo | $7,500/mo ✓ |
| Adult Day Care | $2,400/mo | $1,900/mo ✓ |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For assisted living, Sacramento, CA costs $66,000/year vs San Francisco, CA's $84,000/year.
Monthly savings
$1,500
Annual savings
$18,000
2-year total savings
$36,000
% difference
27%
Savings = San Francisco, CA cost minus Sacramento, CA cost. Assisted living only.
Overall, Sacramento, CA is more affordable — lower cost on 5 of 5 care types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elder care cheaper in San Francisco, CA or Sacramento, CA?
Sacramento, CA has lower assisted living costs at $5,500/month vs. $7,000/month in San Francisco, CA — a difference of $1,500/month ($18,000/year).
What types of elder care are compared here?
This page compares five common senior care types: assisted living, nursing home (private room), in-home aide (44 hrs/week), memory care, and adult day care. These cover the full range from part-time supervision to full residential skilled nursing care.
How do these cities compare to the national average?
The national average for assisted living is $4,500/month. San Francisco, CA is $2,500 above the national average. Sacramento, CA is $1,000 above the national average.