How this Sacramento suburbs ranking works
We looked at every city and unincorporated community in the four counties of the Sacramento metropolitan area (Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo) that had at least 30 home sales in the three months to September 2026, leaving out the City of Sacramento itself and South Lake Tahoe, which is in the Tahoe basin rather than the valley. That gave 20 suburbs. Unincorporated communities stay in because several of the best-known Sacramento suburbs, including Fair Oaks, Carmichael and El Dorado Hills, have no city government.
Every suburb was placed on a 0 to 100 scale for four signals and the four were averaged. Two show how quickly homes sell: median days on market and months of supply, where lower is better. One shows bidding strength: the average sale price as a share of list price. One shows how settled the housing is: the share of homes lived in by their owners. A suburb at the top of the group on all four would score 100.
The sales figures are Redfin's rolling three-month figures for each place through September 2026, all property types. Owner shares are our totals of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024 estimates for the ZIP codes linked to each place, so they are close but not exact where ZIP and town lines differ. Price is listed but not scored. Sacramento County's Redfin median sale price for September 2026 alone was $543,783, up 2.9% on the year, with a 31-day median on market.
The 12 best suburbs of Sacramento
Scores are rounded to whole points. Lincoln, Folsom and Woodland tied at 49.
| Rank | Suburb | County | Score | Median sale price | Year-over-year | Days to sell | Supply (months) | Price vs list | Homeowner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rio Linda | Sacramento | 82 | $459,781 | +8.2% | 10 | 2.5 | 101.0% | 73% |
| 2 | Orangevale | Sacramento | 78 | $555,735 | +1.2% | 20 | 2.5 | 99.8% | 75% |
| 3 | Auburn | Placer | 70 | $599,714 | +5.6% | 19 | 2.8 | 99.3% | 74% |
| 4 | Antelope | Sacramento | 68 | $489,767 | -2.3% | 30 | 2.1 | 99.8% | 69% |
| 5 | Citrus Heights | Sacramento | 62 | $479,772 | +2.4% | 24 | 2.5 | 100.0% | 60% |
| 6 | Roseville | Placer | 59 | $629,700 | -0.8% | 28 | 2.3 | 99.3% | 69% |
| 7 | Elk Grove | Sacramento | 57 | $629,700 | -2.9% | 31 | 2.7 | 99.5% | 73% |
| 8 | Fair Oaks | Sacramento | 54 | $683,674 | +8.3% | 23 | 2.9 | 99.1% | 72% |
| 9 | Galt | Sacramento | 51 | $534,745 | -1.4% | 43 | 3.1 | 100.2% | 76% |
| 10 | Lincoln | Placer | 49 | $620,704 | +3.5% | 37 | 2.9 | 99.2% | 84% |
| 11 | Folsom | Sacramento | 49 | $740,647 | -3.7% | 31 | 2.3 | 99.0% | 70% |
| 12 | Woodland | Yolo | 49 | $554,736 | +3.5% | 23 | 1.9 | 98.5% | 60% |
Sacramento's suburbs moved faster than most of California in this period: every place in the top twelve sold in a median of 43 days or fewer, and eleven of them had under three months of supply. Prices are also far below the coastal metros. The top-scoring places are mostly older, established suburbs on the northeast side of the county, such as Orangevale, Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks, while big master-planned cities such as Roseville, Elk Grove and Folsom score in the middle because they have more homes for sale at any time.
What each top Sacramento suburb is like
1. Rio Linda (Sacramento County): 82 points
Rio Linda, an unincorporated community north of the city of Sacramento, came out on top with the fastest sales in the region: a 10-day median, with 59% of homes going above asking. It is a small market, with 35 sales in three months, so one busy quarter can move its numbers. Rio Linda is the northern end of the 10-mile Sacramento Northern Bike Trail into downtown, and Gibson Ranch Park, with trails, picnic areas and horse stables, is close by. Its median price was the second lowest of the 20 suburbs.
The numbers: $459,781 median (+8.2% year over year), 35 homes sold, 10 median days to sell, 2.5 months of supply, 101.0% of asking on average, about 73% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95673.
2. Orangevale (Sacramento County): 78 points
Orangevale sits in rolling foothill country in northeast Sacramento County, next to Fair Oaks and Folsom, about 25 miles from downtown. Homes sold in a median of 20 days, and three in four are owner-occupied. Public schools are in San Juan Unified, with Casa Roble Fundamental High School as the main high school. Commuters use US 50 at Hazel Avenue or I-80 at Greenback Lane, and Sacramento Regional Transit runs a weekday express bus downtown.
The numbers: $555,735 median (+1.2% year over year), 92 homes sold, 20 median days to sell, 2.5 months of supply, 99.8% of asking on average, about 75% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95662.
3. Auburn (Placer County): 70 points
Auburn is the Placer County seat and a Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, about 800 feet above the meeting of the North and Middle forks of the American River. It had a 19-day median sale and prices up 5.6% on the year. Old Auburn holds the Placer County Courthouse and firehouse clock tower, and Placer High School is one of the oldest high schools in California. Auburn is the eastern end of the Capitol Corridor train and sits on I-80 and Highway 49, so Sacramento and Reno are both a straight drive.
The numbers: $599,714 median (+5.6% year over year), 50 homes sold, 19 median days to sell, 2.8 months of supply, 99.3% of asking on average, about 74% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95602, 95603.
4. Antelope (Sacramento County): 68 points
Antelope is an unincorporated community about 15 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento and 5 miles southwest of Roseville, on the Placer County line. It had the lowest supply of the top twelve, 2.1 months, and the third-lowest median price. The area is mostly flat subdivisions with neighborhood parks such as Tetotom and Pokelma, run by the Sunrise and Rio Linda Elverta park districts.
The numbers: $489,767 median (-2.3% year over year), 88 homes sold, 30 median days to sell, 2.1 months of supply, 99.8% of asking on average, about 69% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95843.
5. Citrus Heights (Sacramento County): 62 points
Citrus Heights is the most active lower-priced city in the ranking, with 215 sales at a median under $480,000 and an average sale right at list price. It is a 14-square-mile city between Sacramento and Roseville, with I-80 along its west side and Amtrak about 5 miles north in Roseville. Most public schools are in San Juan Unified. Shopping centers include the Bird Cage Mall and Sunrise Village. See our Citrus Heights guide.
The numbers: $479,772 median (+2.4% year over year), 215 homes sold, 24 median days to sell, 2.5 months of supply, 100.0% of asking on average, about 60% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95610, 95621.
6. Roseville (Placer County): 59 points
Roseville is the region's busiest suburban market, with 519 homes sold in three months, more than any other city on the list. It is the largest city in Placer County, crossed by I-80 with Highway 65 along its northern edge, and it runs its own city-owned electric and water utilities. Schools come from several elementary districts plus Roseville Joint Union High School District. Sun City Roseville, a 55-plus community of 3,110 homes, is inside the city. Read our Roseville guide.
The numbers: $629,700 median (-0.8% year over year), 519 homes sold, 28 median days to sell, 2.3 months of supply, 99.3% of asking on average, about 69% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95661, 95678, 95747.
7. Elk Grove (Sacramento County): 57 points
Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento, is the second-largest city in Sacramento County and posted 367 sales. Prices fell 2.9% over the year, which may give buyers some room. The Cosumnes Community Services District runs 106 parks and 18 miles of trails in the city, paid for by voter-approved assessments rather than property tax, so check the assessment on the tax bill. Elk Grove Unified is one of the largest school districts in California.
The numbers: $629,700 median (-2.9% year over year), 367 homes sold, 31 median days to sell, 2.7 months of supply, 99.5% of asking on average, about 73% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95624, 95757, 95758.
8. Fair Oaks (Sacramento County): 54 points
Fair Oaks runs along the north bank of the American River between Carmichael and Orangevale, and prices rose 8.3%, the fastest gain among the top twelve. Streets are tree-lined and semi-rural in places, with custom homes and few apartments. The American River Parkway bike trail is the area's main recreation spine, and Hazel station is the nearest light rail stop. Public schools are in San Juan Unified, including Bella Vista and Del Campo high schools.
The numbers: $683,674 median (+8.3% year over year), 78 homes sold, 23 median days to sell, 2.9 months of supply, 99.1% of asking on average, about 72% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95628.
9. Galt (Sacramento County): 51 points
Galt is the farthest-out suburb in the top twelve, at the southern edge of Sacramento County, bordered by farmland in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. That distance shows in a slower 43-day median, but 76% of homes are owner-occupied and buyers paid slightly above list on average. Galt has its own elementary and high school districts, and the nearby Cosumnes River Preserve hosts an annual winter bird festival.
The numbers: $534,745 median (-1.4% year over year), 93 homes sold, 43 median days to sell, 3.1 months of supply, 100.2% of asking on average, about 76% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95632.
10. Lincoln (Placer County): 49 points
Lincoln, 10 miles north of Roseville, had the highest owner-occupied share on this list, 84%, and 279 sales. The city grew 282% between 2000 and 2010, so much of its housing is newer subdivisions, including the age-restricted Sun City Lincoln Hills. It has 25 city parks, among them McBean Park. Our Lincoln guide covers prices and neighborhoods.
The numbers: $620,704 median (+3.5% year over year), 279 homes sold, 37 median days to sell, 2.9 months of supply, 99.2% of asking on average, about 84% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95648.
11. Folsom (Sacramento County): 49 points
Folsom has the highest median price in the top twelve and a 31-day median sale, with prices down 3.7% over the year. The city sits in the Sierra foothills around Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma, with more than 50 miles of trails and the American River Bike Trail along the lake. The Sacramento light rail Gold Line reaches Folsom. Folsom Cordova Unified runs the public schools, including Folsom and Vista del Lago high schools. See our Folsom guide.
The numbers: $740,647 median (-3.7% year over year), 238 homes sold, 31 median days to sell, 2.3 months of supply, 99.0% of asking on average, about 70% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95630.
12. Woodland (Yolo County): 49 points
Woodland is the Yolo County seat, about 15 miles northwest of Sacramento on I-5, and it had the lowest supply of any suburb on this list, 1.9 months. Its economy grew up around farming, and the city keeps a separate identity because of the open land between it and its neighbors. Homes sold in a median of 23 days, though at a slightly lower share of asking than the leaders.
The numbers: $554,736 median (+3.5% year over year), 118 homes sold, 23 median days to sell, 1.9 months of supply, 98.5% of asking on average, about 60% of homes owner-occupied. ZIP data: 95695, 95776.
The rest of the list: El Dorado Hills, Rocklin, Davis and more
These eight places passed the sales test but scored below 45. Several are among the most sought-after addresses in the region; they score lower here for specific reasons, which the notes below explain.
| Rank | Suburb | County | Score | Median sale price | Sales | Days to sell | Homeowner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Florin | Sacramento | 43 | $449,786 | 68 | 26 | 64% |
| 14 | El Dorado Hills | El Dorado | 38 | $949,548 | 217 | 41 | 87% |
| 15 | Carmichael | Sacramento | 36 | $534,745 | 214 | 31 | 53% |
| 16 | Rocklin | Placer | 30 | $721,406 | 187 | 33 | 68% |
| 17 | Rancho Cordova | Sacramento | 30 | $534,745 | 228 | 40 | 62% |
| 18 | Granite Bay | Placer | 28 | $1,294,384 | 77 | 43 | 89% |
| 19 | Davis | Yolo | 24 | $876,583 | 102 | 29 | 43% |
| 20 | West Sacramento | Yolo | 24 | $534,745 | 99 | 30 | 60% |
El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay have very high owner-occupied shares, 87% and 89%, but their higher prices mean fewer buyers and slower sales. Davis is a university city where fewer than half of homes are owner-occupied, which pulls its score down even though prices rose 8.7%. Rocklin, Carmichael, Rancho Cordova and West Sacramento sit near the regional middle on speed. Our Rocklin guide covers that city in detail, and the Sacramento guide covers neighborhoods inside the city.
Choosing between Sacramento suburbs
Placer County or Sacramento County
Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn and Granite Bay are in Placer County; Folsom, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights and the unincorporated communities are in Sacramento County. Tax rates, special assessments and services differ, so compare a sample bill. Our Placer County and Sacramento County property tax guides show how the bill is built.
Mello-Roos in newer subdivisions
Many newer subdivisions in the region were financed through community facilities districts, which add a special tax to the bill for years. Ask for the tax bill on any home built since the 1990s, and read our Mello-Roos guide before you compare prices.
Foothill fire risk and insurance
Auburn, Folsom, El Dorado Hills and the foothill edges of Orangevale and Granite Bay sit closer to wildland. Look up the address on the CAL FIRE hazard map and get an insurance quote before you make an offer. Our wildfire zones guide and FAIR Plan guide explain the options if standard insurers decline.
Unincorporated means county services
In Rio Linda, Antelope, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and El Dorado Hills, the county runs land use and the sheriff handles policing, while parks, water and fire often come from special districts. That is not better or worse, but it changes who you call and what appears on the tax bill.
Schools by address
District lines do not follow town names. Fair Oaks, Orangevale and Citrus Heights share San Juan Unified, while Roseville has several elementary districts under one high school district. Confirm the assigned school with the district's lookup tool and compare schools on the California School Dashboard.