Is SAC still the Fastest-Growing City in CA?
Sacramento's Role in California Today
In 2020, we wrote about Sacramento as the fastest-growing big city in California, based on California Department of Finance population estimates that showed it leading other large cities in year-over-year growth at the time. Those numbers reflected a specific moment in the late 2010s and early pandemic period, when Sacramento was adding residents faster than most of the state’s other major cities.
As of 2026, the story's more nuanced.
Over the past decade, Sacramento has quietly become one of California’s most important and fastest-evolving metro areas. Now the sixth-largest city in the state, with a regional population of more than 2.4 million, it sits at the center of a broad shift in where people in California choose to live. While headlines in the early 2020s focused on rapid growth and Bay Area migration, the reality today is more grounded and more durable: Sacramento has matured into a large, diverse, and economically stable region that continues to attract new residents not because it is “cheap,” but because it offers a rare combination of relative affordability, space, and access to one of the state’s largest job markets.
How Has the Population Grown?
Sacramento’s population has continued to grow over the past decade, though at a more moderate pace than during the rapid expansion seen in the 2010s. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city of Sacramento had about 524,943 residents, and more recent estimates suggest the population has inched higher into the mid-530,000s as of 2024 (see: Wikipedia). At the regional level, the Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom metropolitan area is home to roughly 2.4 million people, reflecting sustained growth outside the city proper as well (source: Census Reporter). Population estimate releases from the California Department of Finance show how population totals and annual percent changes are tracked over time using both Census benchmarks and subsequent estimates.
Why Does It Feel More Affordable?
While no longer “cheap”, Sacramento's housing costs remain dramatically lower than in the Bay Area and other coastal California markets. That gap shows up not just in home prices and rents, but in what you get for your money: larger floor plans, newer construction, easier parking, and more space overall. The region also offers a wide range of suburban options, including places like Antelope, where renters and buyers can find single-family homes, townhomes, and communities with yards and garages at prices that would be extremely difficult to match closer to San Francisco or San Jose. Combined with generally lower everyday costs and less competition for space, this makes the Sacramento area a great choice for affordability.
Why Does It Work for Today's Job Market?
The Sacramento region’s job market works differently than many fast-growth metros because it is anchored by institutions that don’t relocate or boom-and-bust. State government is the single largest employer in the region, which creates a permanent base of stable, recession-resistant jobs, and that is reinforced by large healthcare and education systems like UC Davis Health, Sutter Health, and Kaiser Permanente.
The region also sits at a key logistics crossroads between the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Northern California, which supports a steady flow of warehousing and distribution jobs along the I-80 and Highway 99 corridors. More recently, remote and hybrid work has added a new layer to the economy, with many residents keeping Bay Area or national jobs while living locally. The job market may tend to grow more slowly than headline-driven tech hubs, but it's also more stable and less exposed to sudden downturns.
What's the Lifestyle Appeal?
The Sacramento region’s appeal comes down to how practical and comfortable everyday life feels compared to denser coastal metros. Housing generally comes with more space. Driving, parking, and running errands are usually simple and predictable. Suburban areas like Antelope and Roseville make that especially clear, with school-centered neighborhoods, parks, and shopping laid out around daily routines rather than density constraints.
Sacramento has also developed a strong food and culture scene, with farm-to-fork restaurants, Michelin-star fine dining, breweries, local theaters, riverfront events, and more.
Can you Commute to the Bay Area?
While Sacramento is often discussed in the context of the Bay Area, ia daily commute to places like San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose is not realistic. The drive is typically around 85–100 miles each way and can easily run two hours or more depending on traffic.
In reality, most people who live in the Sacramento region and work in offices commute into Sacramento itself or to nearby job centers like Roseville, Folsom, or Elk Grove. Where the Bay Area connection does come into play is through remote and hybrid work, occasional meetings, or weekend trips.
Who is Sacramento a Great Fit For?
It's great for people who want to live in a dynamic metro area of California, but desire an easier day-to-day routine and lower cost of living. It works especially well for families, professionals, and remote or hybrid workers. It also appeals to people who prefer a city that’s large and fully functional, but not dominated by the competitive pressures of the Bay Area.
