Folsom 72 Excellent
Folsom Livability #190 ranked city in California#6,125 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Folsom, CA - A Historic City with Easy Access to Sacramento

Living in Folsom, CA offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities, with the convenience of being close to major urban centers. Located just northeast of Sacramento, Folsom is known for its rich history, beautiful parks, and vibrant community life. The city’s historic district, with its Gold Rush-era architecture, offers a glimpse into California’s past, while its modern developments provide all the conveniences of contemporary living.

Folsom’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from casual eateries to fine dining. The city’s historic district and Palladio at Broadstone are popular destinations, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The annual Folsom Pro Rodeo is a highlight of the year, bringing the community together to celebrate with rodeo events, live music, and family-friendly activities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Folsom provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and Lake Natoma, offer scenic spots for hiking, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The nearby American River provides additional opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors.

Folsom is also known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly environment. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Folsom Live Music Festival and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the community spirit. The city’s proximity to Sacramento means that residents can easily access the amenities of a major city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.

For those considering a move to California, Folsom offers a perfect blend of historical charm, outdoor beauty, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, community events, or easy access to Sacramento, living in Folsom, CA provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Folsom

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Folsom?

Folsom, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 82,389 people. According to the most recent Census, 67% of Folsom residents are White, 17% Asian and 4% Black. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Folsom your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 26 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Folsom, 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. Finding the best places to live in Folsom and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, education, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 73 out of 100, Folsom is ranked #5,051 in the United States and #174 in California. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Folsom scores well for crime (A), education (A) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Folsom. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (D) and cost of living (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Folsom, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 183 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The unemployment rate in Folsom has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.5%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Folsom have an average test score of 70%, which is well above the US average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Folsom 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.

Assuming that Folsom meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Folsom. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Folsom are simply unattainable. The median home price for Folsom homes is $1,032,221, which is 41.1% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Folsom, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6, which is 22.1% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Folsom

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      Folsom transportation information

      Statistic Folsom California National
      Average one way commute26min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.4%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home16.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Folsom, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.