5 Greater Sacramento Suburbs Smart Buyers Are Watching for 2026 👀

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When most buyers start their home search in the Greater Sacramento area, they usually focus on the same familiar names: Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove. And while those areas are popular for good reason, they’re not always where the best opportunities are heading into 2026.

One of the biggest shifts I’m seeing right now is that buyers finally have breathing room again. This isn’t 2021. You don’t need to rush, and you don’t need to settle. If you’re willing to look just slightly beyond the obvious, there are several suburbs that offer newer homes, improving infrastructure, and strong long-term upside.

I’m Jake DaRosa with The DaRosa Real Estate Team. I’ve lived in the Greater Sacramento area for nearly five decades and helped hundreds of families buy and sell across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. These are five suburbs I think smart buyers should be paying close attention to as we head toward 2026.

1. West Roseville

New construction, expanding retail, and long-term growth

West Roseville is where much of the city’s future growth is happening. While East Roseville tends to get most of the attention, West Roseville has been quietly building out large master-planned communities with modern homes, energy-efficient construction, and updated layouts.

Infrastructure is starting to catch up here as well. Improvements like the Roseville Parkway extension and Baseline Road upgrades are making travel easier, and long-term projects like Placer Parkway could further improve regional access.

Home prices in West Roseville often come in lower per square foot compared to East Roseville, which means more home for the money. Add in expanding retail like Baseline Marketplace and a new Costco, and this area continues to gain momentum.

2. South Rancho Cordova

Close to Folsom without Folsom pricing

South Rancho Cordova is one of the most overlooked areas in the region. South of Highway 50, you’ll find newer master-planned neighborhoods that feel completely different from older parts of the city.

This area offers proximity to Folsom and El Dorado Hills without paying Folsom prices. Commute flexibility is a big plus, with Highway 50, Grant Line Road, and Folsom Boulevard providing multiple routes depending on where you work.

Pricing here is often in the mid-$500s to mid-$600s, which can be tough to find in nearby cities. School boundaries vary, so it’s important to research specific addresses, but for many buyers this area offers an excellent balance of value and location.

3. Lincoln

More space, newer homes, and steady growth

Lincoln continues to attract buyers who want more house and more space. It’s no longer a small town, but it still delivers better value compared to closer-in suburbs.

Many buyers here work remotely or in Roseville and Rocklin. In exchange for a longer commute to downtown Sacramento, Lincoln consistently offers larger homes and newer construction.

Communities like Twelve Bridges are built around lifestyle amenities such as golf, pools, and community events. Shopping and healthcare options have expanded significantly, making Lincoln more self-sufficient than it was a decade ago.

4. North Natomas

Central location with renewed confidence

North Natomas often gets overlooked, but the reality has changed over the past decade. Significant investments have been made in levee improvements, addressing long-standing flood concerns.

The location is one of North Natomas’ biggest advantages. You’re close to downtown Sacramento, the airport, and major freeways like I-5 and I-80. Many homes here were built in the late 1990s and 2000s, offering more modern layouts than older central Sacramento neighborhoods.

Newer developments, including 55+ communities, continue to expand the area, and pricing remains more approachable than many neighboring suburbs.

5. Newer Elk Grove Neighborhoods

Strong schools with modern community design

Elk Grove is well known, but not all Elk Grove neighborhoods are the same. The newer pockets in southeast Elk Grove offer modern homes, thoughtful planning, and growing retail and dining options.

The Elk Grove Unified School District remains one of the city’s strongest draws. These newer neighborhoods often provide better value than comparable homes in Folsom or El Dorado Hills.

The key is narrowing your search to specific pockets rather than treating Elk Grove as one large area.

Final Thoughts

No suburb is perfect. Every area comes with trade-offs around commute, schools, pricing, and growth. The goal isn’t to find the “best” suburb — it’s to find the one that fits your priorities.

The Greater Sacramento region continues to grow, and buyers who look just beyond the obvious choices often find better value and a better lifestyle fit.

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Ready to Buy or Sell?

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or relocating within the Greater Sacramento area, I’d love to help you build a smart plan.

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Let’s talk about what you’re trying to accomplish and whether one of these suburbs makes sense for you.

Jake DaRosa
Broker | The DaRosa Real Estate Team

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