Greater Sacramento Area Guide 🌳

Sacramento vs Placer vs El Dorado County – Which One Fits You?

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Confused about where to live in Greater Sacramento? You’re not alone. I talk to a lot of people who feel overwhelmed trying to choose between Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties.

Each county has its own vibe, price point, commute patterns, and lifestyle. Pick the right fit and you’re happy. Pick the wrong one and the daily drive, schools, or cost of living can wear on you fast.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Jake DaRosa with The DaRosa Real Estate Team. I’ve lived here for 49 years and been a real estate broker for 23. My team and I help people move into and around this area every day, so I get to see the pros, cons, and trade-offs from every angle.

This guide is a high-level overview of the region built around three big questions:

• 🚗 Commuting: How will you get to work and play?
• 🏡 Neighborhoods: Which areas match your lifestyle?
• 💰 Budget: What can you realistically expect in your price range?

Commuting 101: Understanding Our Freeways

Greater Sacramento is very car dependent. Public transit exists, but most people rely on the freeway system to get to work, kids’ activities, shopping, and the fun stuff.

Here’s a quick crash course:

• I-5 (North–South, West Side) Runs along the western edge of the region. From downtown Sacramento you’re about 20–30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Head south and you go through Elk Grove, down toward Stockton, and eventually all the way to Los Angeles.
• I-80 (East–West, Placer Corridor) From downtown, going west takes you to Davis and the Bay Area. Going east takes you through Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, over Donner Summit and into Reno.
• Highway 50 (El Dorado Freeway) This is the main east–west route on the south/east side. It runs from Sacramento through Rancho Cordova, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Placerville, then up to South Lake Tahoe.
• Highway 99 (East-Side North–South) The other major north–south route, running through South Sacramento, Elk Grove, and down the valley toward Lodi, Stockton, and Modesto.
• Business 80 / Capital City Freeway Loops through and around downtown, tying different parts of the city together.

Right now there’s a lot of construction on 50 and 80, plus steady regional growth. That means rush hour traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the last few years.

This matters when you’re deciding where to live. For example:

• Live in El Dorado Hills or Folsom but work in downtown? A 45–60 minute commute at rush hour isn’t unusual.
• Live in Lincoln and work downtown? That 65/80 combo can wear on you fast.

Before you fall in love with a house, you’ll want to be honest about how much time you’re okay spending in your car each day.

County Overview: Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado

Sacramento County – The Urban Core & Classic Suburbs

Sacramento County is the heart of the region, home to about 1.6 million people. The City of Sacramento itself has over 500,000 residents and is the state capital.

Major cities and areas include:

• Downtown & Midtown Sacramento: Walkable, urban, with restaurants, bars, Golden 1 Center (Go Kings), Old Sacramento, the waterfront, and a growing arts scene.
• East Sacramento & Land Park: Historic neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, character homes, and great access to parks.
• Folsom: East of Sac, blends an old historic district with newer master-planned communities, top-rated schools, and access to Folsom Lake.
• Elk Grove: South of Sacramento, very family-oriented with strong parks, newer housing, and good school options.
• Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights: Classic suburbs with a mix of older neighborhoods, mature trees, and pockets of newer development.

Sacramento sits where the American and Sacramento Rivers meet, which means easy access to boating, fishing, and the American River Parkway’s 32 miles of paved trail.

Placer County – Growth, Schools & Suburban Convenience

Placer County stretches north and east of Sacramento and has about 400,000+ residents. It’s been one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

Key areas include:

• Roseville: The largest city (~150K). Big shopping (Galleria, Fountains), strong schools, hospitals, and a wide range of housing from older central Roseville to large new communities in West Roseville.
• Rocklin: Very popular with families; newer housing, parks, and top-rated schools.
• Lincoln: One of the fastest growing cities, with large newer subdivisions and Sun City Lincoln Hills, one of the biggest 55+ communities in Northern California.
• Granite Bay: Upscale, semi-rural estates, excellent schools, and easy access to Folsom Lake.
• Loomis & Auburn: More space, acreage, and a foothill feel. Auburn is also famous for its endurance and ultramarathon events.

El Dorado County – Hills, Pines & Tahoe Gateway

El Dorado County lies to the east and runs from gold country all the way up to South Lake Tahoe. It has around 190K people spread over a large, mostly rural area.

Key communities:

• El Dorado Hills: Master-planned, hilltop living with neighborhoods like Serrano and Blackstone, strong schools, and a busy Town Center with concerts and events.
• Cameron Park & Shingle Springs: More affordable than EDH, small-town feel, some homes with views and a “mini-mountain” vibe. Private airpark and small lake in Cameron Park.
• Placerville: Historic gold rush town with older homes, acreage, and proximity to Apple Hill and the forest.
• South Lake Tahoe: A full-on mountain resort town with skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and lake life.

Standout Communities by Lifestyle 

Most Walkable / Urban

• Midtown Sacramento: Tree-lined streets, restaurants, bars, local shops, and a real arts scene. Great if you want to bike or walk to most things.
• Downtown & Old Sacramento: Closer to offices, Golden 1 Center, the waterfront, and nightlife.

Historic Character & Older Neighborhood Charm

• East Sacramento: Historic homes, big trees, the Fab 40s, and proximity to McKinley Park.
• Land Park: Classic Sacramento charm, near the zoo, parks, and downtown.
• Fair Oaks Village: Older homes, large lots, mature trees, and free-range chickens wandering the village.

Family-Friendly Suburbs with Strong Schools

• Folsom: Great schools, Folsom Lake, a mix of older neighborhoods and brand new communities like Folsom Ranch.
• Elk Grove: Parks, newer housing, and strong school options. Very popular with families.
• Roseville & Rocklin (Placer): Top-rated schools, lots of parks, and tons of newer housing.
• El Dorado Hills: Master-planned, higher-end feel with strong schools and views.

More Space, Land & Foothill Living

• Loomis & Auburn: Acreage, horses, and a small-town foothill vibe.
• Cameron Park & Placerville: More rural feel, pine trees, and access up the hill to Tahoe.

Budget Snapshot: What Different Price Ranges Can Get You

$400K–$600K Range

In today’s market, this is more of an entry point in many areas.

• Sacramento County: North Highlands, Antelope, parts of Elk Grove, older areas of Rancho Cordova, and Citrus Heights. Some new construction deals pop up here and there.
• Placer County: Under $600K is possible but tighter, especially in Roseville/Rocklin. Lincoln may offer a bit more opportunity at this level.
• El Dorado County: Look at Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, and some Placerville options. As you head higher into the foothills, remember to factor in fire insurance.

$600K–$800K Range

This range opens up a lot more choice across all three counties.

• Sacramento County: Nicer parts of Folsom, Land Park, Fair Oaks, and some East Sac options depending on size/condition.
• Placer County: Solid inventory of single-family homes in Roseville and Rocklin. Around the county median (roughly high-$600s), you’ll have good choices.
• El Dorado County: Entry-level into El Dorado Hills (often smaller or older homes), plus comfortable options in Cameron Park and surrounding areas.

$800K–$1.2M Range

Now you’re getting into premium neighborhood territory.

• Sacramento County: Strong options in Folsom, higher-end Elk Grove, East Sac, parts of Land Park, and more upgraded properties in Fair Oaks/Carmichael.
• Placer County: Beautiful homes in Roseville/Rocklin and some entry-level properties in Granite Bay.
• El Dorado County: A sweet spot for El Dorado Hills – neighborhoods like Serrano, Blackstone, and similar areas.

$1.5M+ Luxury

If your budget goes above $1.5M, you can look at:

• Granite Bay & Loomis for estates, horses, and semi-rural luxury.
• El Dorado Hills for view homes, golf course properties, and custom builds.
• East Sacramento / Fab 40s & Sierra Oaks Vista for historic or “old money” pockets.

Climate, Jobs & Lifestyle Highlights

Weather

• Summers: Hot and dry. Many days in the 90s and some over 100°, though it varies year to year.
• Winters: Mild and wet in the valley. Snow is rare at lower elevations.
• Foothills & Tahoe: Cooler with regular winter snow as you climb in elevation (Pollock Pines, Tahoe, etc.).

Outdoor Lifestyle

• Folsom Lake: Boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing.
• American River Parkway: 30+ miles of bike/walk trail from downtown to Folsom.
• El Dorado National Forest: Camping, hiking, lakes, and snow play.
• South Fork American River: Popular for whitewater rafting.
• Apple Hill: Near Placerville, great for fall trips, wine tasting, and family farms.
• Lake Tahoe: World-class skiing, snowboarding, and summer lake life within a couple of hours.

Employment

• Government: Major employer as the state capital.
• Healthcare: Sutter, Kaiser, UC Davis Med Center, and other systems.
• Tech & Trades: A growing tech presence plus strong construction and building trades due to regional growth.

So… Where Should You Live?

The truth is, there’s no one “best” area. It comes down to your priorities:

• Do you care more about walkability or a big yard?
• Is your top priority schools, commute, or budget?
• Do you want urban energy, classic suburbia, or space and trees in the foothills?

Greater Sacramento can give you all of that – just not always in the same place.

Get My Free Greater Sacramento Relocation Guide 🚚

If you’re serious about exploring a move here, this is the easiest next step.

🚚 Thinking of Moving to Sacramento or want to know more about the area?
Grab my Free Greater Sacramento Relocation Information Guide — packed with insider tips, school rankings, commute maps, and neighborhood insights:
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Ready to Talk About Your Move?

If you’re considering relocating to the Greater Sacramento area and want help figuring out which county and neighborhood fit your life, I’d love to be a resource.

• Want to sanity-check your short list of areas?
• Need to balance commute + schools + budget?
• Curious what’s actually available in your price range?

📲 Call or text me at 91642-5786
or send a message through this site and tell me a bit about your situation.

My team and I help families move into Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties every week, and we’d be happy to help you sort out your options too.

Jake DaRosa
Broker | The DaRosa Real Estate Team