Sacramento, the capital city of California, and Mather, a census-designated place, offer different lifestyles despite their close proximity. Both are appealing for various reasons with Sacramento boasting of vibrant city life and Mather offering a quieter suburban lifestyle. They differ in crime rates, weather, cost of living, educational opportunities, job prospects, infrastructure, industries, real estate market, transportation measures, legalization policies, and more. This comparison will help guide those interested in relocating or visiting these cities in making a well-informed decision.
Sacramento, being a larger city, has a higher crime rate compared to Mather. While Sacramento does have areas with lower crime rates, the overall crime in Sacramento is higher than the national average. Mather, on the other hand, is a quieter, more suburban environment with a lower crime rate and is considered safer than many other areas in California.
Cost of Living
Living in Sacramento is generally more expensive than in Mather. Housing is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. Sacramento's housing expenses are higher than the national average, while Mather's housing prices are more affordable.
Income Tax
The state income tax for residents in both Sacramento and Mather is determined by income brackets in California, with rates ranging from 1% to 13.3%, one of the highest in the country.
Property Tax
The average property tax in Sacramento is 0.76% of a property's assessed fair market value, while in Mather it is 0.77%, near the state average.
Sales Tax
Both Sacramento and Mather have a sales tax rate of 8.75%. This is higher than the national average but is the norm for California.
Income
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Estimated median household income
$75,311
$81,854
Estimated per capita income
$37,916
$37,284
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
102.9
108.8
If you make $50,000 in Sacramento, you will have to make $52,867 in Mather to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Sacramento is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and American River while Mather is an inland suburban location, characterized by flat topography typical of the Sacramento Valley.
Geographical information
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Land area
97.2 sq. miles
69.5 sq. miles
Population density
5,404 people per sq. mile
1,559.4 people per sq. mile
Elevation
20 feet
4,522 feet
Relative area comparison
Sacramento, CA Mather, CA
Education
Sacramento boasts a variety of schools, universities, and colleges, such as California State University, Sacramento, and Sacramento City College. However, Mather benefits from less crowded schooling options and has a selection of good schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
Sacramento boasts a diverse economy with the government, healthcare, and education sectors taking the lead. However, Mather has an economy heavily reliant on public administration and retail trade. The unemployment rate in Sacramento is slightly higher than in Mather.
Biggest Employers
In Sacramento, some of the largest employers are the State of California, Sacramento County, and Sutter Health. In Mather, some leading employers are American River Packaging and Mather Aviation.
Weather
Both Sacramento and Mather share similar weather patterns due to their close proximity. They experience a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Sacramento, being a bigger city, can sometimes be slightly hotter in the summer due to the urban heat effect.
Weather and climate
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Temperature - Average
62.2°F
62.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
66.8%
55.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
58%
35.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
64.7%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
29%
29.5%
Precipitation - Yearly average
19 in
20 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
392.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
31.5%
29%
Sunshine amount - Average
83.6%
84.1%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
52%
35.1%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
97%
91.7%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
56.6%
Wind speed - Average
6.8 mph
6 mph
Average climate in Sacramento, California
Average climate in Mather, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
Sacramento
Mather
2018
121
121
0.32
0.31
9.7
6.5
24.7
25.6
0.002
0.002
28.9
26.0
12.7
14.0
N/A
N/A
2017
117
114
0.33
0.30
9.0
6.3
25.2
25.7
0.002
0.002
22.1
19.5
8.8
11.5
N/A
N/A
2016
103
102
0.44
0.36
8.0
6.4
25.3
25.0
0.002
0.002
14.0
14.8
9.0
8.9
N/A
N/A
2015
105
105
0.25
0.28
9.7
7.4
24.9
25.7
0.002
0.002
16.2
17.3
10.9
10.8
N/A
N/A
2014
99
99
0.24
0.27
10.2
7.4
24.9
26.7
0.002
0.002
15.6
16.4
9.6
8.1
N/A
N/A
2013
102
102
0.29
0.33
11.1
9.2
23.2
26.0
0.002
0.002
21.3
21.6
11.9
10.3
N/A
N/A
2012
107
107
0.31
0.30
10.5
9.0
25.2
27.8
0.002
0.002
15.2
15.3
7.9
8.6
N/A
N/A
2011
106
106
0.29
0.31
11.2
9.6
24.0
25.3
0.002
0.002
17.7
18.2
10.8
11.5
N/A
N/A
2010
109
109
0.29
0.29
11.2
8.8
22.8
24.2
N/A
N/A
16.9
15.8
9.3
8.3
0.5
0.5
2009
118
118
0.40
0.41
12.4
10.7
23.3
25.4
0.003
0.003
20.6
18.2
11.4
11.1
0.5
0.5
2008
130
130
0.40
0.40
14.9
11.4
25.4
26.7
N/A
N/A
24.3
22.4
13.6
13.7
0.5
0.5
2007
129
129
0.39
0.42
14.8
12.0
23.7
25.3
0.005
0.005
19.9
19.4
13.5
13.0
0.6
0.6
2006
124
124
0.49
0.46
15.4
12.8
22.7
26.0
N/A
N/A
23.7
22.7
13.0
13.4
0.5
0.5
2005
125
125
0.42
0.50
15.9
12.1
20.0
23.2
N/A
N/A
22.1
19.7
13.5
13.7
0.6
0.6
2004
119
113
0.49
0.47
15.8
13.8
19.1
24.3
N/A
N/A
22.7
22.1
13.3
14.7
0.6
0.6
2003
119
109
0.47
0.52
16.8
14.9
20.3
29.5
N/A
N/A
23.1
18.7
N/A
N/A
0.9
0.9
2002
114
114
0.50
0.52
18.1
15.7
21.2
31.2
0.004
0.004
25.1
22.0
N/A
N/A
1.5
1.5
2001
111
107
0.43
0.47
18.0
15.1
21.2
25.8
0.004
0.004
20.7
22.9
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.4
2000
107
107
0.55
0.48
17.9
15.1
19.5
22.1
0.004
0.004
19.1
21.0
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.4
Natural disasters
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
8.8%
8.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,798.9%
7,798.5%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
18%
Transportation
Sacramento has a wider variety of transport options including bus, light rail, and bike-sharing, along with highways for commuting. Mather, while having decent road connectivity, relies primarily on cars for transportation.
Transport
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
414
29
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
20
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Bicycle
1.1%
1.1%
Bus
1%
2.2%
Carpooled
12%
13.3%
Car alone
80%
75.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Railroad
0.4%
0.9%
Streetcar
0.1%
0.6%
Subway
0.1%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2.8%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Average
28.5 min
23.3 min
Real Estate
Sacramento's real estate market is diverse, offering everything from condos to large single-family homes, often at a premium. In contrast, Mather offers affordable suburban homes, making it attractive to families and those wanting to escape the hustle of Sacramento.
Neighborhoods
Sacramento is famous for its diverse neighborhoods like Midtown, East Sac, and the Fabulous Forties, each with a unique appeal. Mather, being a smaller suburban area, does not have the same level of neighborhood diversity, with most being residential suburban blocks.
Houses and residents
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Houses
210,715
38,350
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.6
Houses occupied
202,093 (95.9%)
36,690 (95.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
103,994 (51.5%)
20,175 (55%)
Houses occupied by renters
98,099 (48.5%)
16,515 (45%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$976.09
$1,436
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$398,191
$466,925
Estimated median house or condo value
$449,600
$409,810
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.1
5.5
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
5.1
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,168.8
551.7
Household income disparities
44%
42.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,166 (1.6%)
3,141 (17.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
4,385 (6.1%)
32 (0.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
70,415 (98.4%)
14,733 (82.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
204 (0.3%)
1,102 (6.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,362 (7.5%)
2,561 (14.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
12,891
3,008
State government workers
40,274
5,653
Unpaid family workers
755
81
Industries and Occupations
In Sacramento, the most common industries are public administration, healthcare, and educational services. Mather residents are employed more in public administration and retail trade, reflecting its status as more of a residential community.
Health Care
Sacramento is home to several major hospitals and health systems including the UC Davis Medical Center and Sutter Medical Center. Mather is located near several healthcare facilities located in Sacramento.
Infrastructure
Sacramento has the advantage of more developed infrastructure as it is the state capital and a larger city. It has several major highways, an international airport, and a busy port. Mather has a good suburban infrastructure, but not as comprehensive as Sacramento’s.
Infrastructure
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Hospitals
17
1
TV stations
23
24
Schools
School facilities
Type
Sacramento
Mather
Private elementary/middle schools
26
0
Private high schools
19
1
Public elementary/middle schools
142
1
Public high schools
54
4
Colleges/Universities
22
0
Culture and Food
Sacramento has a vibrant food and culture scene with numerous restaurants, music festivals, and art galleries. Mather has a quieter cultural atmosphere, but residents have quick access to Sacramento’s city offerings.
Sports Teams
Sacramento hosts several professional sports teams including the Sacramento Kings (NBA) and Sacramento Republic FC (USL). Mather does not have professional sports teams but residents can easily access Sacramento's sports events due to the close distance.
Sacramento, CA
Mather, CA
