Sacramento is often considered one of the “hidden gems” of California, and one look at the area will show you exactly why. With parks aplenty, amazing restaurants, hands-on activities, and high walkability scores, Sacramento is one of the most desirable residential areas in California. However, if you’re interested in moving to Sacramento, you need to make sure you’re choosing the right neighborhood for your needs. Consider your daily activities and personal preferences to choose one of these best neighborhoods in Sacramento.

Land Park – Best for outdoor recreation

Land Park, an area in West Sacramento named after the William Land Regional Park in the area, is a great place to live if you really love all sorts of outdoor recreation. The William Land Regional Park offers a staggering 167 developed acres of green area, including jogging trails, beautiful lakes, a rock garden, and even a wading pool. Plus, it’s next to the Sacramento Zoo and along the Sacramento River, making this a steadily developing community.

Hollywood Park – Best for child education options

Hollywood Park is a unique family-centered area that gives you easy access to many of the benefits of Land Park with  lower housing costs. The affordable price opportunities in Hollywood Park, as well as the three elementary schools within the neighborhood, Hollywood Park Elementary School, St. Robert Catholic School, and Leonardo Da Vinci K-8 School, have made it extremely beneficial for families.

Oak Park – Best for community connection

Oak Park was actually the first suburb of Sacramento, and the area has long been connected to the city’s thriving Black community. It fell into disrepair for many years, but in the last decade or so, a group of connected citizens has banded together and built the area back to its former glory through community participation. Whether you’re attending the farmer’s market on Saturdays or the Neighborhood Association meetings, you’ll be able to find some community connection to the Oak Park community.

North Oak Park – Best for young professionals

Generally, Oak Park is a great place for community connection, but the further north you go in this historic neighborhood, the better your chances of finding a convenient urban neighborhood for a young professional to live and work. There are lots of newer developments in North Oak Park, and with options ranging from traditional ranch houses to condominiums and bungalows, there are also plenty of options for different home and apartment styles.

Central Oak Park – Best for walkability

Central Oak Park is known for being an extremely walkable and bikeable area. Whether you’re interested in trying out attractions along Broadway Street to the north or Stockton Boulevard to the east, it’s likely that you’ll be able to bike or walk there on a daily basis. This gives you options for both a laid-back neighborhood feel as well as a vibrant city life sensation. With this mix, there’s never a dull moment as long as you’re open to opportunities.

Tahoe Park – Best for local commuters

Tahoe Park is another historic neighborhood in the Sacramento area. This neighborhood is a great place to check out if you don’t believe you’ll be able to afford some of the more central neighborhoods, but you still want to be able to commute to central Sacramento. Not only is this an affordable neighborhood in general, but also there are plenty of attractions to enjoy, like Bacon & Butter, Tallac Lounge, and its namesake park, all of which provide opportunities to get out and experience the neighborhood to the fullest.

Del Paso Heights – Best for affordability

Although it has yet to experience the explosive type of growth that some other Sacramento areas have already gone through, Del Paso Heights in North Sacramento is an enjoyable place to live in its own right. It offers some of the most affordable housing in the area, with the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment coming in at $1,300. This area recently received its first full-service grocery store, and the local Grant High School draws generations of families every Friday night for exciting high school football games.

Lawrence Park – Best for quiet home life

If you prefer to stick to yourself, then Lawrence Park might be a great option for you. Not only does the area generally offer a quiet atmosphere, but also you can visit the area’s namesake, Lawrence Park, to enjoy outdoor green space in the area. Stockton Boulevard, which is close to this neighborhood, also hosts many restaurants, shops, and businesses within easy walking distance.

River Park – Best for young families

River Park, centered in the east Sacramento area, is one of the most residential areas in the city. This area tends to pull in young families with strong nearby educational institutions like Caleb Greenwood Elementary and Saint Francis High School. This makes it a great place for families who are deeply invested in their child’s future. Plus, it’s only about a 15-minute drive from Downtown Sacramento, making it a commuter’s dream.

East Sacramento – Best for amenities

East Sacramento, colloquially called “East Sac” by locals, offers a wide variety of options for residents. This means that it’s possible to afford housing while also taking advantage of a walkable neighborhood and central city amenities, like boutiques and shopping centers. This is the perfect neighborhood for people who love getting out into the community but are looking for lower-cost housing.

West Sacramento – Best for families

As with “East Sac,” many locals call this area “West Sac,” and the area is full of single-family homes that are generally more accessible to renters. Due to the variety in housing opportunities throughout this area, West Sacramento tends to be full of families who enjoy the variety of local homes available for rent, with one-bedroom apartments currently renting for around $1,949 per month.

North Highlands – Best for quiet adults

This is another community that’s less of a hotspot than some other more well-known neighborhoods, but it’s one of the more affordable options in Sacramento. The lower cost of rentals in the area, with the average one-bedroom rental price at only $1,400, can likely be attributed to the closure of McClellan Air Force Base nearly 30 years ago. However, it’s possible that this area is due for a renaissance soon. And if that’s the case, you’ll want to get in on the action early.

Boulevard Park – Best for mixed urban-suburban

The Boulevard Park neighborhood, as the name implies, is both historic and family-friendly. Walkability is extremely high, and many of the stores in the area are boutique “Mom and Pop” shops, rather than franchise chains. It’s one of the more charming neighborhoods in the area, with plenty of quiet streets and an abundance of trees, and it benefits from plenty of community events year-round.

Short-term rentals in Sacramento

There are lots of communities to consider in Sacramento County, and whether you end up in East Sacramento, South Sacramento, West Sacramento, or North Sacramento, it’s important to get a feel for the community before you start your hunt for a long-term rental. Short-term rentals in Sacramento can help you understand how the area will feel when you move in, and the more walkable neighborhoods, like Old Sacramento, Southside Park, and Midtown, are all great short-term rental options. You’ll gain more of an appreciation for public transportation, walkability, and parks in the neighborhood, which you might not get from simply booking a hotel.

Frequently asked questions about living in Sacramento

What is the most affordable neighborhood in Sacramento?

As with any urban area, Sacramento will have more and less expensive neighborhoods within it. If you’re trying to stick to a more affordable neighborhood option, you might want to try Old North Sacramento, with a one-bedroom rental average of $1,118, as well as RP Sports Complex, with an average rent of $1,155 per month for a one-bedroom rental.

What’s the weather like in Sacramento?

On average, you’ll find that Sacramento is on the warm side. Sacramento temperatures tend to peak in July and August, with highs sometimes rising above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in these months. However, for the rest of the year, the climate is incredibly moderate, with an average high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 49 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect to avoid freezing cold temperatures for most of the year, which is a huge plus for most people.

Is it expensive to live in Sacramento?

The cost of living in Sacramento depends on whether you’re measuring it against the rest of the United States or California specifically. California is generally a very expensive place to live, which means that while it’s considered about 18% more expensive than the national average, it’s also much lower than many other areas in Sacramento. San Francisco, for example, has housing prices that are 105% higher than the national average. It’s a more expensive place to live than many cities nationwide, but it is generally affordable when it comes to California prices.

Is it a good idea to move to Sacramento?

Many people feel like Sacramento is highly underrated when it comes to the various California cities available. It has a very laid-back atmosphere, and the economy is booming. Plus, while it is more expensive than the national average, it’s fairly inexpensive to live in Sacramento when compared to other California cities that may be a bit more well-loved and well-known. The people who live in Sacramento may insist that it’s one of the best places to live in California.

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