Two Sacramento-area cities rank in Top 100 best places to live list

Roseville and Woodland rank as two of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in America” in a new study, beating out mogul cities such as Orlando, Florida, Iowa City, Iowa, and Providence, Rhode Island.

More than 1,000 small to mid-sized cities were analyzed by Livability based on safety, affordability, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility and community engagement. Roseville ranked No. 8 and Woodland ranked No. 55.

The Sacramento area has become more popular over the last few years as people flock to the state capital for housing and jobs.

For the first time, Sacramento hit more than 500,000 residents, making California’s once overlooked middle child the sixthlargest city in the state. In response, the housing market has become crowded and affordable housing is scarce.

More than anything, this top 100 list highlighted the shift in people’s priorities since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many factors that used to be a no-brainer have all of a sudden become what if’s — especially the newfound freedom, for some people, of not being required to go into the office.

So for what seems like the first time, people don’t always have to live in the same city they work. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 42% of the U.S population has either moved or considered moving, according to Livability, a leading online resource for community research.

Oxnard and Riverside also made the list, ranking at 68 and 82.

Here’s a closer look at Woodland and Roseville, which beat out every other similar size city in the state.

Roseville

Roseville is the biggest city in Placer County, with a population of more than 147,000. Located along Interstate 80, Roseville also is a convenient commute to the state capital. Roughly 20 minutes from Sacramento, residents enjoy all Sacramento has to offer: hot summers, moderate winters and little rain.

Roseville is one of the fastest-growing cities in California, adding about 30,000 people in the past decade, according to the 2020 census. It’s also a destination for Bay Area and Sacramento residents, driving home value and rent costs up.

• Score: 744.

Woodland

Woodland, population 50,717. is about 20 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento at the intersection of Interstate 5 and State Route 113. Because it’s only minutes away from Sacramento International Airport, residents have easy access to the rest of the world.

The city is noted as the county seat of Yolo County and for its agriculture and health care.

• Score: 688.