Phoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CA: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026

Phoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CA side by side

Metric Phoenix, AZ Sacramento, CA
Alpha Score3234
Price Momentum4153
Inventory Health3447
Affordability2111
Economic Strength2331
Rental Yield4622
Median Sale Price$469K$608K
Price-to-Income5.56.5
Payment-to-Income32.9%38.4%
Months of Supply43
Gross Rental Yield4.0%3.4%
Overvaluation Index8080

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Phoenix, AZ and Sacramento, CA compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 21/100 vs Sacramento, CA 11/100.
  • Price Momentum: Sacramento, CA leads — Phoenix, AZ 41/100 vs Sacramento, CA 53/100.
  • Inventory Health: Sacramento, CA leads — Phoenix, AZ 34/100 vs Sacramento, CA 47/100.
  • Economic Strength: Sacramento, CA leads — Phoenix, AZ 23/100 vs Sacramento, CA 31/100.
  • Rental Yield: Phoenix, AZ leads — Phoenix, AZ 46/100 vs Sacramento, CA 22/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Phoenix, AZ or Sacramento, CA?

Sacramento, CA scores higher — 34 vs 32 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Phoenix, AZ or Sacramento, CA more affordable?

Phoenix, AZ is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 5.5 in Phoenix, AZ and 6.5 in Sacramento, CA.

Which housing market has stronger momentum, Phoenix, AZ or Sacramento, CA?

Sacramento, CA has stronger price momentum — 53/100 vs 41/100.

What is the median home price in Phoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CA?

The median sale price is $469K in Phoenix, AZ and $608K in Sacramento, CA.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Phoenix, AZ market brief and the Sacramento, CA brief.