Citrus Heights earned its name honestly — a real estate agent renamed the area in 1910 after buying up the land and carving it into lots, and the sunny, tree-lined character has stuck ever since. Sitting about 14 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento, this city of roughly 87,000 strikes a balance between laid-back suburban living and easy access to everything the greater Sacramento region has to offer. Rusch Park, home to the Historic Rusch Home and Gardens, gives residents a green escape close to home, while Folsom Lake is just a short drive east for boating, hiking, and weekend adventures. Proximity to I-80 means Sacramento and Roseville are both within quick reach.

The rental market here features a solid mix of garden-style apartment communities, spacious townhomes, and single-story units with private outdoor space — options that are harder to come by closer to the city core.