Living in Rancho Cordova, CA
Rancho Cordova is the 414th-largest city in the US, home to about 88,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 10.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 87,554+10.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $477,6005.3 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,787/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $89,585median, per year
- Price level
- 106.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 57° / 94°lows 41° / 61°
- Average commute
- 27 min20% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Sacramento County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 89 ft
Metro area: Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Cost of living in Rancho Cordova
The median home in Rancho Cordova is worth $477,600 and the median household earns $89,585 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,787 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area at 106.7, with housing at 130.2 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $80,000 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova weather
Average highs run from 56°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 41°F. It gets 19 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Rancho Cordova
People and work
The median resident is 36.0 years old, and 32% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 20% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.0245th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 32%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,53334.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.6% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1979median year
Who moves to Rancho Cordova, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Francisco (San Francisco County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Sacramento County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, drought.
Home prices
+0.1% in a year
Up 20% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
35% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Rancho Cordova
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Sutter Health Park 13 miles
- University of California-Davis 26 miles
- American River College 5 miles
- Sacramento City College 12 miles
- Cosumnes River College 13 miles
- Sierra College 14 miles
- Folsom Lake College 9 miles
- Woodland Community College 25 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Rancho Cordova
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento International Airport SMF | 18 mi | 6,679,426 |
| Stockton Metropolitan Airport SCK | 49 mi | 63,668 |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 79 mi | 5,292,736 |
| Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport STS | 83 mi | 382,556 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Rancho Cordova
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Sacramento | 8 mi | 28,350 | $11,186 | 54% |
| American River College | 5 mi | 25,621 | $5,730 | 39% |
| Sacramento City College | 12 mi | 17,657 | $5,713 | 34% |
| Sierra College | 14 mi | 14,122 | $27,774 | 44% |
| Cosumnes River College | 13 mi | 14,023 | $3,676 | 43% |
| Folsom Lake College | 9 mi | 9,414 | $4,339 | 51% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Rancho Cordova
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 12, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 1 and the first frost comes around December 16.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Sacramento 5 ESE, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Rancho Cordova.
Wildfire smoke in Rancho Cordova
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Rancho Cordova on about 58 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Rancho Cordova
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 28,174 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Rancho Cordova
Downtown Rancho Cordova is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folsom-Cordova Unified School District | K to 12 | 21,780 | 37 | 21.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Elk Grove Unified School District (63,421 students), San Juan Unified School District (39,446 students), Sacramento City Unified School District (37,913 students), Twin Rivers Unified School District (24,849 students), Roseville City Elementary School District (12,324 students), Roseville Joint Union High School District (11,002 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Rancho Cordova's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Rancho Cordova's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Perris, CA79% matchCompare
- Moreno Valley, CA75% matchCompare
- Menifee, CA74% matchCompare
- San Bernardino, CA73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Rancho Cordova
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 65 miles
- Sierra-at-Tahoe 66 miles
- Palisades Tahoe 68 miles
- Homewood Mountain Resort 68 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Rancho Cordova
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data The city is growing fast (+10.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 90 days a year reach 90°F.
Rancho Cordova report card from locals
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Rancho Cordova through locals' eyes
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Cities near Rancho Cordova
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Heights, CA | 7 mi | 86,348 | $454,600 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Folsom, CA | 9 mi | 91,983 | $755,200 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Roseville, CA | 11 mi | 167,302 | $661,400 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Sacramento, CA | 12 mi | 536,449 | $506,300 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Elk Grove, CA | 13 mi | 185,007 | $630,100 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Rocklin, CA | 15 mi | 76,821 | $703,400 | 106.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Rancho Cordova ranks 12th of 33 in our best suburbs of Sacramento ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Rancho Cordova with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Rancho Cordova a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Rancho Cordova side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Rancho Cordova?
The Census Bureau estimates Rancho Cordova had 87,554 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 79,333 in April 2020 (+10.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Rancho Cordova?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $80,000 in the Rancho Cordova area. The median household here earns $89,585.
When is the best time to visit Rancho Cordova?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 56°F for daytime highs.
What county is Rancho Cordova in?
Rancho Cordova is in Sacramento County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Rancho Cordova in?
Rancho Cordova is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Rancho Cordova?
About 89 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Rancho Cordova. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Sacramento 5 ESE, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.