Sacramento's historic Old Sacramento Waterfront district transports visitors to the Gold Rush era with wooden sidewalks and preserved architecture. The 32-mile American River Parkway provides extensive trails for biking and running along the river, while the Crocker Art Museum showcases prestigious collections in one of California's oldest art institutions. The city features numerous cultural attractions including the California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento Zoo with over 500 animals, and the iconic Crest Theatre showing independent films. The dining scene includes Michelin-starred Localis in Midtown and the historic Frank Fat's Chinese restaurant downtown.
The Sacramento housing market includes approximately 1,300 homes for sale, with prices ranging from $280,000 to $1,731,000. The median sale price sits at $481,000 citywide. Single-family homes predominate in established neighborhoods like East Sacramento, where the median price reaches $797,000, and Land Park, with a median of $791,900. Condominiums present more affordable options, with median prices of $228,500 for one-bedroom units and $300,000 for two-bedroom units. Townhomes have a median price of $524,000.
Sacramento's cost of living runs 25.9% above the national average. A married couple with children ages 6-17 needs an annual salary of $134,000 to live comfortably, while renters should aim for $76,000. The property tax rate in Sacramento County is 0.76%, lower than nearby Roseville at 0.85%. The combined sales tax rate reaches 8.80%. Monthly expenses for families include $1,700 for groceries and $3,300 for housing. Gasoline costs $4.946 per gallon, 53% above the national average. The public school system includes highly rated institutions like Mira Loma High School, while private options such as Sacramento Country Day School maintain A+ ratings. California State University-Sacramento serves as the major higher education institution.
