Sacramento is the capital of California, and while it may not have the name recognition of larger cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, it more than makes up for it with its affordability and beautiful scenery. You’ll find beautiful tree-lined landscapes and the Sacramento and American rivers flowing right through, giving visitors and residents alike plenty of reason to come and to stay.
If you’re looking for a new place to live and considering Sacramento, you’re not alone; its relatively low cost of living has led to a strong population growth in recent years, and its proximity to many of California’s biggest tech companies and startups means the job market is booming. Outside of work, whether you prefer art, food, bars, clubs, or simply relaxing at home, you’ll easily find a neighborhood and lifestyle that suits you.
The “City of Trees”, as it’s sometimes known, is often voted one of the best places to live in California. If Sacramento sounds like your ideal destination and you’d like to learn more, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll go over some essential information to know before making a move so you can be sure Sacramento is right for you.
Moving to Sacramento: Full of food, art, and culture
With 1.5 million acres of surrounding farmland, Sacramento doesn’t call itself the “Farm-to-Fork Capital” without evidence to back it up. Agriculture is one of the foremost industries in the city, and its residents directly benefit by purchasing fresh produce from farmers’ markets and dining at local eateries. Hook & Ladder, Localis, and Mulvaney’s B&L are all restaurants to look out for, as well as food trucks like Bambi Vegan Tacos and Street Cravings; each of these businesses transform their locally sourced ingredients into delicious dishes worth raving about.
Outside of food, Sacramento has plenty to offer for history buffs. The city was a major player in the California gold rush, and residents take pride in preserving historical sites; for example, you can tour the Old Sacramento district and take in beautiful architecture while also shopping at local boutiques.
The arts and culture in Sacramento shouldn’t be overlooked either. Thanks to the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, the Sacramento Theatre Company, and a brilliant public art scene including the Wide Open Walls mural festival every August, patrons of the arts will be spoiled for choice. Fans of rock music will also love the yearly Aftershock Festival, the largest of its kind in the state.
If sports is more your speed, Sacramento’s own Kings play NBA games at the Golden 1 Center downtown, and the Sacramento Republic Football Club plays home soccer games at Heart Health Park. In short, no matter what your interests are, Sacramento has something special to offer you.
Sacramento job and employment market
As the capital of California, Sacramento has no shortage of state government jobs, but you’ll also find plenty of startups and established companies looking to hire fresh faces. Key industries that have already made their mark on the local economy are agriculture, clean tech and energy, life sciences, health care and education. On the other hand, if you’re looking to get in on an industry as it grows, the state of California believes positions in the fitness, nursing, interpretation, information security, and logistics industries will see the fastest growth through 2030.
Some of the most recognizable companies hiring in the area are Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Apple and California State University. If you’d like to get your foot in the door with an established name, Sacramento is the perfect place for you, and with a citywide unemployment rate of 5% as of February 2026, it sits at just below the statewide unemployment rate of 5.3%.
Cost of living and housing prices in Sacramento, CA
California is an expensive state to live in, and Sacramento is no exception. The monthly cost of living is about $2,846 as of March 2026, putting the city in the top 4% of the most expensive places to live in the world. However, compared to the rest of California, Sacramento sits at only the 169th most expensive place to live out of 319 in the state. If you find yourself California dreaming, Sacramento is an excellent place to start.
Median household income in the Sacramento area is relatively high as well to help offset those costs. As of the 2024 census, the average household earns $87,321 per year.
As of March 2026, the average home price in Sacramento is $479,766, down about 2.5% from the previous year. This is relatively high, but 47.1% of homes sell for under list price, so don’t be afraid to make an offer on your dream home! If you prefer to rent, you can expect to pay about $1,995 per month on average, just a bit higher than the national average of $1,910.
Sacramento neighborhoods to look out for
No matter what your interests or desired lifestyle may be, Sacramento has a neighborhood perfect for you. Here’s a quick primer on five of the areas you’ll find in the City of Trees and who they best cater to.
Midtown
Hip, urban Midtown is the center of the city’s art and cultural scene. It’s great for those seeking upbeat nightlife, diverse art, vibrant culture, and award-winning food, making it popular among young professionals and singles, as well as retirees.
East Sacramento
Families will love East Sacramento’s greenery, walkability, and quietude. The laid-back atmosphere and proximity to California State also make it a favorite of students.
Meadowview
This area is one of the top residential neighborhoods for families, offering some of the most affordable housing in the city and offering plenty of shopping, restaurants, and culture. It’s farther from the city center than most neighborhoods, but your car or the city’s bus system will get you there easily.
Tahoe Park
Young professionals and first-time homeowners will be right at home in this historic neighborhood. You’ll have an easy commute to central Sacramento and plenty of local attractions if you’d rather not make the trip some days.
Land Park
If you’ve saved up to raise a family or retire somewhere with a leisurely atmosphere, Land Park offers a tight-knit, upscale yet relaxed community. There’s plenty to enjoy between the beautiful parks, golf courses, and cute cafes.
Five more neighborhoods to keep an eye out for:
- Central Oak Park
- Old Sacramento
- Downtown Sacramento
- River Park
Transportation and traffic
You’ll most likely want to bring a car to Sacramento, as public transport is somewhat limited. The Sacramento Regional Transit District operates 69 bus routes, 38 of which are all-day routes, as well as the Sacramento Light Rail service along 43 miles of track in and around the city. Many lines run only Monday through Friday, and only a few run late at night, usually on the weekend through the busiest areas of the city.
Thanks to these limitations, Sacramento is considered rather car-dependent, with over 70% of workers traveling to and from work by car. If you’d rather bike around the city, Sacramento is extremely cycle-friendly and offers privately-operated bike and scooter sharing systems.
Education
As of 2026, Sacramento is the 51st best-educated metropolitan area in the USA, and with 93% of K-12 students educated in public schools, there’s plenty of evidence towards the local school systems’ quality. No matter where you live, the Sacramento City Unified School District offers 400 public elementary, middle, and high schools to make sure your family gets a good education, and if you prefer private schooling, your children will have over 125 to choose from.
If you’re looking for higher education for yourself or your children, the highly-ranked California State University, Sacramento is located in the city with the University of California, Davis, nearby.
Weather and temperatures
Sacramento is considered a Mediterranean climate with mild weather all year round, little rain, and almost no chance of snow. The city gets around 270 days of sunshine each year with hot but dry summers and damp but mild winters. You’ll find the hottest temperatures in July at around 92.4 degrees Fahrenheit at their peak, and the coldest in December with an average overnight temperature of 37.7 degrees.
10 more things to do in Sacramento
If Sacramento sounds like the city for you and you’d like to take a visit to get a feel for it before moving there, here are ten essential places and activities to check out while you’re in town to convince you even further.
- Visit the Crocker Art Museum, the oldest art museum in the country.
- Visit Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, a reconstructed fort that provides hands-on experience of what life was like for the earliest California gold rush settlers.
- Take a stroll through Old Sacramento Historic Park to experience historical architecture and visit a diverse array of small shops and restaurants.
- Bring your family to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town just next door.
- Visit the California State Railroad Museum, featuring restored locomotives and interactive exhibits highlighting California’s history in the railroad industry.
- Take in a show at the classic Crest Theatre or one of the city’s other historic live entertainment spots.
- Cheer for the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center, the most technologically advanced arena in the NBA.
- Take a hike along the Sacramento River or a bike ride along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
- Get out of the city with a day tour to nearby Napa Valley, the most famous wine region in California.
- Bring your family for a refreshing day at Raging Waters waterpark, featuring wave pools, waterslides and a lazy river.
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