Sacramento 73 Excellent
Sacramento Livability #178 ranked city in California#5,139 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas

Sacramento, CA - The City of Trees

Sacramento, CA, known as 'The City of Trees,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Located in northern California, Sacramento is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like San Francisco and Reno enhance its status as a central point in the region. Sacramento's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Sacramento is home to several iconic landmarks, including the California State Capitol, the Crocker Art Museum, and the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful American River Parkway to the bustling Midtown district, known for its local shops and restaurants. Sacramento's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-fork cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the California State Fair and the Sacramento Music Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Sacramento's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like California State University, Sacramento and the University of California, Davis contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Sacramento is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera and the B Street Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Sacramento provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Sacramento’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Kings (NBA) and Republic FC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Sacramento include government, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as the State of California and Sutter Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient and accessible. Sacramento's mild climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters makes it an ideal place for outdoor activities year-round.

Pros and Cons of Living in Sacramento

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

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What's it like Living in Sacramento?

Located in the state of California, Sacramento is a large city with a population of 503,482 inhabitants. In Sacramento, there are 5,106 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Sacramento identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 17% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 48% of the Sacramento population is married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Sacramento is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Sacramento, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Sacramento and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

The livability score in Sacramento is 76/100 and the city is ranked in the 90th percentile of all cities across America. This is a fantastic score, as Sacramento ranks well in multiple categories! Sacramento is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Sacramento scores well for amenities (A+), education (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A-) Sacramento does not score well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

If you're considering living in Sacramento, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Sacramento provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Old Sacramento, California State Railroad Museum, and Crocker Art Museum.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Sacramento excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Sacramento is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Sacramento come in at $361,300, which is 11.7% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Sacramento, the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 14.1% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Sacramento

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Sacramento?

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Compare Sacramento, CA Livability

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      Sacramento transportation information

      Statistic Sacramento California National
      Average one way commute26min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.8%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home8.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Sacramento, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).