Have you ever considered moving to Sacramento, California? To live in a city surrounded by lush bushy spaces, authentic culinary scenes coming straight from the home-grown agricultural lands, 50 specialized craft breweries, and most importantly, the capital city of California is a proud feel in itself, and here will be discussing every detail about America’s “River city.”
Yes, it’s known as River City because it was established by John Sutter at the junction of the American and Sacramento rivers in 1839. It’s no surprise that Sacramento has been dubbed the “Big Tomato Farm,” the “Fork City of Trees,” and the “Almond Capital of the World,” as it is a significant producer of canned tomatoes, has a rich agricultural heritage, and is the world’s largest almond producer.
As a capital city in the center of the Golden State, it’s no surprise that Sacramento has become one of the best places to move to California with your family.
So, get engaged to the article if you or a loved one are considering relocating to Sacramento, California, shortly!
Quick facts regarding moving to Sacramento, CA:
Where is Sacramento, CA, located?
Sacramento, California, lies in central California within the Sacramento Valley on the east bank of the Sacramento River. The city is positioned at the merging point of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern part of California’s vast Central Valley.
Population of Sacramento, CA
With a population of 528,306 as of 2023, the population of Sacramento, CA, comprises
- Sacramento, CA’s population density is 5374 people per square mile.
- The median age of Sacramento, CA, is 34.9 years.
- The Sacramento, California, population has risen 1.33% since the 2022 census.
- The poverty rate in Sacramento, CA, is 14.8%, more than the national average of 13.9% and California’s average of 12.9%.
- The most spoken languages in Sacramento, CA, are English and Spanish.
Diversity of Sacramento, CA
With an increase in diversity index from 75% to 77%, Sacramento has a diverse population with the following ethnic breakdown.
- White (Non-Hispanic): 31.1%
- Asian (Non-Hispanic): 18.7%
- Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 12.8%
- Other (Hispanic): 11.9%
- White (Hispanic): 9.76%
How safe is it to live in Sacramento, CA?
Sacramento, California, exceeds the national average and comparable city crime rates, with 375.9 crimes per 100,000 people in 2020. The critical crime and safety stats of Sacramento are given below.
- Violent crime in Sacramento has surged, with 4,749 incidents reported in 2022, marking a 16% increase from 2021 and a 45% increase since 2019.
- Common violent crimes include robberies and aggravated assaults.
- Sacramento residents face an increased risk, with a 1 in 148 chance of falling victim to violent crime and a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a property crime victim.
- Northern Sacramento areas are considered safer, offering lower crime risks, whereas Mack Road/Valley High, Oak Park, and Del Paso Heights face higher crimes.
The safe neighborhoods in Sacramento, CA are
- River Park
- South East
- Valley Hi (North Laguna)
- Elmhurst
- Tahoe Park
- Granite Bay
Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA
The cost of living in Sacramento, California, surpasses the national average but is comparatively lower than many other regions in the state. Key details include:
- The cost of living in Sacramento is 19% higher than the national average, with housing expenses being 43% higher than the national average.
- The U.S. Census Bureau reports a median household income in Sacramento as $78,954, while the average household income is $107,369.
- For comfortable living in Sacramento, recommendations include an annual income of approximately $56,800 for a single person and $81,720 for a family.
- The average cost of living in Sacramento, California, is $2938 per month for a single person and $5308 per month for a family of four.
Here is a table summarizing the cost of living in Sacramento, CA:
| Category | Cost |
| Cost of Living Index | 127.2 |
| Median Home Price | $644,355 |
| Median Rent | $1,959/month |
| Average Energy Bill | $187.78/month |
| Average Phone Bill | $202.01/month |
| Average Gas Price | $4.22/gallon |
| Average Grocery Prices | Loaf of Bread: $4.09, Gallon of Milk: $2.56, Carton of Eggs: $2.37, Bunch of Bananas: $3.54, Hamburger: $5.41 |
| Average Healthcare Costs | Doctor’s Visit: $142.52, Dentist Visit: $122.97 |
Job Market in Sacramento, CA
The job market in Sacramento, California, is thriving as a technology hub, hosting major companies such as HP, Intel, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Oracle, and Apple. Moving to Sacramento, CA, for future job growth is advantageous. Here are the key data points related to jobs and salaries in Sacramento, CA.
- Sacramento’s job market is expected to grow by 4.8% in 2022 and a projected average annual growth of 1.3% between 2023 and 2027.
- The unemployment rate in Sacramento County is 4.5%, lower than the long-term average of 6.54%, indicating a robust job market.
- The median household income in Sacramento is $78,954, and the per capita income is $39,336.
- Salary ranges in Sacramento typically span from $47,250 (25th percentile) to $84,250 (75th percentile) annually, with an average hourly pay of $22.62 for rapidly growing jobs, including fitness trainers, logisticians, computer and information research scientists, and occupational therapy assistants.
- The average male salary in Sacramento is approximately $34,932, and the estimated female average wage is roughly $36,142.
The top employers in Sacramento, CA, are
- State of California
- University of California, Davis
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sutter Health
- Dignity Health
- Intel Corporation
- Raley’s Corp.
- Sacramento City Unified School District
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)
The most common jobs in Sacramento, CA, are
- Registered Nurse
- Sales Representative
- Sales Associate
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Information Technology Project Manager
- Family Medicine Physician
- Program Manager
- Hospitalist Physician
- Restaurant Manager
- Customer Service Expert
The highest-paying jobs in Sacramento, CA, are as follows:
| Job Title | Salary |
| Anesthesiologist | $368,752 |
| Dermatologist | $296,588 |
| Psychiatrist | $277,210 |
| Assistant Professor of Surgery | $265,454 |
| Clinical Sciences Professor | $248,845 |
| Orthodontist | $247,395 |
| Medical Director | $243,518 |
| Hospitalist | $235,478 |
| Product Management Director | $195,220 |
| Box Truck Owner Operator | $64,100 – $183,700 |
Tax rates in Sacramento, CA
The types of taxes imposed on the residents of Sacramento, CA, are as follows:
- Sales Tax: Sacramento’s combined sales tax rate is 8.75% (including state, county, and city rates).
- Property Tax: The average effective property tax rate in Sacramento County is 0.84%, and the Average property tax bill is $2,749.
- Income tax: 1% to 12.3%.
Housing market in Sacramento, CA
The Sacramento, CA, housing market is highly competitive, with homes garnering multiple offers and selling within an average of 13 days. If you’re worried about finding a new place to live in the city, you should book your place before moving to Sacramento, CA.
Key statistics of Sacramento’s housing and rental market include:
- Last month, the average cost of purchasing a home in Sacramento was $492,000, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the previous year.
- The median home value in Sacramento stands at $500,000.
- Sacramento boasts a homeownership rate of 50.1%.
- The median list price per square foot in Sacramento is $335.
- The average rental price for homes in Sacramento is $1,434.
- Approximately 49.9% of the population in Sacramento is inferred to be renters, considering the homeownership rate.
| Housing costs | Sacramento | US |
| Median home cost | $492,000 | $338,100 |
| Rental cost of a studio | $1627 | $1080 |
| Rental cost of 1 bedroom | $1979 | $1180 |
| Rental cost of 2 bedroom | $2088 | $1430 |
| Rental cost of 3 bedroom | $2494 | $1860 |
Top neighborhoods in Sacramento, CA
The best places to live in Sacramento, CA, are as follows:
- Downtown Sacramento
- East Sacramento
- Land Park
- Midtown
- North Oak Park
- Tahoe Park
- River Park
- West Sacramento
- Meadowview
Education system in Sacramento, CA:
Sacramento City Unified School District operates 73 schools. In Sacramento County, there are a total of 390 public schools serving 248,017 students and 125 private schools.
- Sacramento City Unified School District has a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. Sacramento County Office of Education has a lower ratio 13:1.
- Sacramento County schools have an average ranking of 7/10, placing them in the top 50% of California public schools.
- Sacramento State University’s 2023-24 school year tuition is $8,301 for the Doctorate of Audiology.
- Sacramento City College’s estimated cost of attendance for a full-time off-campus student is $30,106 per year.
Middle schools in Sacramento, CA:
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School
- Davis School for Independent Study
- Miller’s Hill
- Rolling Hills Middle School
- Merryhill Elementary & Middle School
Elementary schools in Sacramento, CA:
- Rocklin Academy Meyers
- Robert E. Willett Elementary School
- Valley View Elementary School
- Cesar Chavez Elementary School
- Pioneer Elementary
High schools in Sacramento, CA:
- Granite Bay High School
- Davis Senior High School
- West Campus High School
- Mira Loma High School
- Vista Del Lago High School
- Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
- Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep School
Colleges and universities in Sacramento, CA:
- California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State)
- University of San Francisco – Sacramento Campus
- William Jessup University
How fast can you commute in Sacramento, CA
The average one-way commute time in Sacramento, California, is around 25.4 minutes, slightly shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Most people in Sacramento commute to work by driving, with 75.37% driving alone, 9.97% carpooling, 2.50% using public transportation, and 1.78% walking.
Public transport in Sacramento is mainly provided by the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT):
- Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT): SacRT operates over 80 bus routes and 43 miles of light rail across 52 light rail stations. Buses run daily year-round from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Amtrak: Amtrak serves the region with six stations and four routes, allowing locals to travel north, south, east, or west by rail, reaching destinations throughout California and beyond.
- Intercity bus services: Greyhound and Megabus provide intercity bus services from Sacramento to various destinations.
Weather and climate in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, California, has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate featuring hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The temperature ranges from 39°F to 94°F throughout the year, seldom going below 31°F or above 102°F.
The city experiences two main seasons:
- A hot season lasting 3.7 months (June 5 to September 26) with average daily highs above 86°F.
- The winter season lasts 2.9 months (November 22 to February 18), with average daily highs below 62°F.
- July is the hottest month, with an average high of 93°F, while December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
- Sacramento gets an average annual precipitation of 18.52 inches, with the wetter season spanning 5.3 months, rare snowfall of about 2 inches, and 265 sunny days yearly.
- The best time to visit Sacramento, California, is mid-June to late September.
Things to Do in Sacramento, CA
Check out the list of things to do and places to see in Sacramento, CA:
- Explore the California State Railroad Museum for a journey through the history of the railroad’s impact on California.
- Step back to the Gold Rush era at Old Sacramento State Historic Park, a National Historic Landmark District.
- Immerse yourself in art at the Crocker Art Museum, featuring California art, global works, and a renowned ceramics collection.
- Discover the California State Capitol Museum, offering tours inside the Capitol Building and a city park with diverse trees.
- Enjoy the expansive Capitol Park, spanning 40 acres and 12 blocks, featuring the World Peace Rose Garden and native California plants.
- Visit the Sacramento Zoo to meet giraffes and other captivating animals.
- Let your imagination soar at the Aerospace Museum of California, showcasing the history of aviation and space flight.
- Take a walking tour of Old Sacramento to explore its landmarks, shops, and attractions.
- Experience Sacramento’s thriving craft beer scene by visiting its numerous breweries.
- Engage in outdoor activities along the American River, from boating to fishing or leisurely walks.
- Join the Farm-to-Fork Festival, a significant event celebrating Sacramento as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital with food, wine, beer, and entertainment.
Pros and Cons of Living in Sacramento, CA
Finally, according to residents, here are the pros and cons of living in Sacramento, CA, so you can decide whether to move to Sacramento, CA.
| Pros of Living in Sacramento | Cons of Living in Sacramento |
| Affordable cost of living compared to other California cities | High summer temperatures |
| Proximity to various attractions like wine country, mountains, and gaming | High crime rates |
| A robust job market with opportunities in diverse sectors | Fast-growing city leading to potential overcrowding and infrastructure issues |
| Variety of cuisines due to diverse population | High taxes |
| Convenient access to Sacramento International Airport | Homelessness |
| Balanced climate with mild winters | Allergens |
| Close to nature and outdoor activities | It is a very political environment due to being the state capital |
| Good schools and family-friendly atmosphere | Rising cost of living and housing |
| Ranked as the 25th most walkable city in the country | – |
Final Verdict
If moving to California is in your future, Sacramento offers an ideal place to live. The capital city has everything, from major industries and government organizations to a rich culinary, historical, and arts scene. Affordable housing and a solid educational system make Sacramento a great place for people of all ages. So, don’t hesitate and have a safe move!