The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Sacramento For 2022


We used science and data to determine which neighborhoods in Sacramento are the best of the best.

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California's capital city of Sacramento has a lot going for it. It's one of America's most diverse cities, has the most tree coverage of American cities, and ranks among sunniest spots in the country. It's no wonder that people are moving to Sacramento in droves.

But before you join the masses in copping on to how awesome Sacramento is, you oughta know what neighborhoods are the best of the best. The places with a solid home price to income ratios, blue ribbon schools, safe streets, and an abundance of jobs. There's no geographic cheat-sheet here: neighborhoods representing every corner of Sacramento are on this list. Only the best of Sacramento's 113 neighborhoods made the cut, but it depends on what your priorities are for determing which will make the best home for you.

If a mix of quality and affordability is on the top of your agenda, Natomas Park might be your best bet. If you're looking for a spot with unending amenities, you're going to want to take a closer look at what's going on in Pocket. Want to be in the center of the action? New Era Park has you covered, being the closest to downtown, with its booming live entertainment scene and global cuisine.

Wherever you end up in Sacramento, you'll be living in the farm-to-fork capital of the world, meaning that getting fresh food will never be a struggle, whether you're stopping by one of Sacramento's 40 regional farmer's markets or getting some grub at a local restaurant. And when you've hit your healthy quota for the week, treat yourself to a burger from Squeeze Inn.

Find yourself a spot in the shade of one of Sacramento's many trees, grab a bag of Blue Diamond almonds, and get ready to live like a Sacramento King, because we're heading to the best neighborhoods in Sacramento.

So there you have it -- the best neighborhoods to call home in Sacramento. Note that fishing enthusiasts might have a different take on things, but hey, you can always get yourself to the city's top fishing spots from whatever neighborhood you end up in. If you end up in a quieter neighborhood and craving activity, don't miss the annual Farm-to-Fork Festival - displays of local wineries, breweries, and distilleries alongside plenty of live music round out the week-long culinary adventure to perfection.

Sacramento's a great place to call home, no matter what your priorities are, but of Sacramento's 113 neighborhoods, there can only be one that's the best. So what Sacramento neighborhood takes the gold for 2022? According to the latest census report and our own SnackAbility scale, River Park is the best place to call home in Sacramento.

Curious to see how the rest of Sacramento's neighborhood's stacked up? Take a look at the full list below.

For more California reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods In Sacramento
Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Sacramento

1. River Park

Population: 3,282
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $433,267 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $100,793 (Fourth best)
More on River Park: Homes For Sale | Data

2. Pocket

Population: 25,569
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $370,425 (12th best)
Median Income: $82,751 (12th best)
More on Pocket: Homes For Sale | Data

Pocket Sacramento, CA

Source: Public domain

3. Village 9

Population: 5,170
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $329,467 (2best)
Median Income: $80,029 (13th best)
More on Village 9: Homes For Sale | Data

4. East Sacramento

Population: 19,319
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $442,192 (Third best)
Median Income: $92,923 (Fifth best)
More on East Sacramento: Homes For Sale | Data

5. Westlake

Population: 1,289
Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $432,900 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $103,309 (best)
More on Westlake: Homes For Sale | Data

6. Willowcreek

Population: 4,404
Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $303,200 (28th best)
Median Income: $70,602 (20th best)
More on Willowcreek: Homes For Sale | Data

7. Elmhurst

Population: 1,680
Rank Last Year: 7 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $332,100 (20th best)
Median Income: $74,005 (18th best)
More on Elmhurst: Homes For Sale | Data

8. Natomas Park

Population: 7,990
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $285,950 (35th best)
Median Income: $91,312 (Sixth best)
More on Natomas Park: Homes For Sale | Data

9. South Land Park

Population: 13,331
Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $335,655 (17th best)
Median Income: $65,685 (26th best)
More on South Land Park: Homes For Sale | Data

10. Greenhaven

Population: 8,820
Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $304,529 (26th best)
Median Income: $61,923 (29th best)
More on Greenhaven: Homes For Sale | Data

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Sacramento, CA Neighborhoods In 2022

In order to rank the best neighborhoods in Sacramento, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".

Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 113 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In Sacramento." We're lookin' at you, River Park.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places Sacramento, California has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.

Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Sacramento

If you're measuring the neighborhoods in Sacramento where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Sacramento aren't all good. Village 5 takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Sacramento.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more California reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods To Live In Sacramento For 2022 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 River Park 3,282 $433,267 $100,793
2 Pocket 25,569 $370,425 $82,751
3 Village 9 5,170 $329,467 $80,029
4 East Sacramento 19,319 $442,192 $92,923
5 Westlake 1,289 $432,900 $103,309
6 Willowcreek 4,404 $303,200 $70,602
7 Elmhurst 1,680 $332,100 $74,005
8 Natomas Park 7,990 $285,950 $91,312
9 South Land Park 13,331 $335,655 $65,685
10 Greenhaven 8,820 $304,529 $61,923
11 Scc 349 $350,000 $68,250
12 New Era Park 2,075 $348,500 $56,568
13 Curtis Park 5,168 $426,425 $78,658
14 Little Pocket 1,136 $396,100 $61,875
15 Village 12 3,293 $312,260 $85,987
16 Land Park 8,312 $456,717 $88,895
17 Village 7 4,113 $327,567 $89,277
18 Village 11 5,194 $289,950 $85,226
19 South East 5,004 $166,400 $43,022
20 Sierra Oaks 1,929 $334,000 $67,327
21 Downtown 5,111 $290,400 $36,805
22 Colonial Manor 4,295 $163,167 $51,015
23 Valleyview Acres 177 $383,800 $101,667
24 Boulevard Park 2,773 $478,825 $45,688
25 Medical Center 1,683 $280,750 $51,407
26 Tahoe Park 3,074 $235,580 $63,342
27 Metro Center 810 $316,200 $79,219
28 Newton Booth 2,180 $364,450 $57,274
29 Z'berg Park 1,444 $302,000 $51,118
30 Natomas Creek 2,512 $281,400 $83,958
31 West Tahoe Park 2,171 $213,200 $37,321
32 Johnson Business Park 166 $292,100 $79,527
33 College Glen 6,580 $287,250 $69,089
34 Gateway West 6,226 $273,200 $76,859
35 Hollywood Park 1,819 $271,800 $49,814
36 Northgate 3,726 $158,950 $53,106
37 Tahoe Park East 999 $223,650 $64,384
38 Village 2 3,083 $152,750 $66,646
39 Glenwood Meadows 3,707 $148,550 $52,486
40 Carelton Tract 1,402 $255,700 $40,253
41 Colonial Village 3,286 $138,275 $46,160
42 Fairgrounds 671 $304,200 $13,846
43 Brentwood 2,342 $186,900 $39,834
44 South Natomas 26,178 $190,531 $55,351
45 Village 14 257 $383,800 $101,667
46 Marshall School 1,789 $439,500 $39,124
47 Freeport Manor 1,117 $200,900 $47,598
48 Tallac Village 2,058 $210,533 $44,926
49 Valley High-North Laguna 42,988 $190,876 $52,506
50 Mansion Flats 1,640 $305,667 $39,181
51 Poverty Ridge 1,662 $346,750 $50,354
52 Tahoe Park South 1,669 $225,033 $50,030
53 Gateway Center 2,004 $153,900 $58,582
54 Norwood I-80 434 $132,600 $40,603
55 Creekside 4,278 $142,020 $71,113
56 Mangan Park 1,282 $201,550 $44,536
57 Old Sacramento 1,436 $218,967 $55,036
58 Richardson Village 2,032 $104,500 $45,091
59 Meadowview 26,703 $180,454 $40,428
60 Campus Commons 2,526 $175,775 $47,068
61 Colonial Heights 1,544 $229,533 $51,909
62 Midtown 6,443 $288,880 $36,227
63 Glen Elder 2,867 $150,400 $34,232
64 Lawrence Park 1,858 $135,133 $39,603
65 Woodbine 3,098 $166,000 $28,352
66 Robla 6,966 $181,533 $53,471
67 North Oak Park 4,037 $231,729 $37,825
68 Pell-Main Industrial Park 1,500 $118,800 $42,531
69 Golf Course Terrace 3,271 $184,800 $59,079
70 Del Paso Park 1,232 $259,400 $56,339
71 Parkway 18,817 $138,067 $40,600
72 Upper Land Park 3,917 $271,475 $43,300
73 Central Oak Park 5,387 $154,117 $29,144
74 Raley Industrial Park 2,500 $146,333 $48,484
75 Avondale 4,394 $189,700 $29,334
76 Richmond Grove 1,399 $401,800 $31,624
77 Southside Park 1,695 $334,580 $42,225
78 West Del Paso Heights 2,105 $139,750 $37,989
79 Erikson Industrial Park 644 $241,350 $50,356
80 Csus 2,029 $182,150 $34,534
81 Del Paso Heights 4,644 $133,500 $25,900
82 Rp Sports Complex 3,130 $142,900 $66,831
83 Arden Fair 569 $164,400 $59,423
84 Strawberry Manor 2,662 $131,700 $30,982
85 North City Farms 4,216 $180,217 $39,123
86 North Pointe 477 $169,200 $49,375
87 River Gardens 1,602 $129,667 $53,245
88 Hagginwood 6,024 $150,440 $35,046
89 American River Parkway 1,938 $91,120 $48,352
90 East Del Paso Heights 4,183 $128,575 $35,487
91 Woodlake 1,201 $146,050 $53,023
92 South City Farms 905 $151,300 $30,595
93 Swanston Estates 1,857 $153,600 $42,650
94 Airport 2,740 $142,900 $43,839
95 Fruitridge Manor 5,258 $113,500 $32,624
96 Johnson Heights 668 $155,800 $33,750
97 Granite Regional Park 114 $32,800 $30,665
98 South Oak Park 4,202 $116,725 $28,063
99 Natomas Crossing 2,897 $136,100 $37,451
100 Oak Knoll 688 $155,800 $33,750
101 Florin Fruitridge Industrial Park 176 $47,900 $38,229
102 Noralto 3,224 $75,550 $36,905
103 Packard Bell 157 $47,900 $38,229
104 Norwood Tech 325 $155,800 $33,750
105 Gardenland 3,078 $115,867 $38,578
106 Cannon Industrial Park 1,314 $131,067 $30,566
107 South Hagginwood 4,864 $93,583 $31,452
108 Old North Sacramento 3,865 $72,080 $21,441
109 Wills Acres 1,025 $114,700 $22,946
110 Village Green 205 $35,500 $40,147
111 Ben Ali 992 $154,500 $19,558
112 Parker Homes 243 $66,650 $37,078
113 Village 5 504 $81,250 $40,180

Editor's Note: We updated this article for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Sacramento.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Neighborhoods, Rankings