property
North Highlands: the affordable suburb outperforming all its neighbours
Median sale prices here reached $398,500 in the second quarter of 2026 while values in adjacent areas rose at half the pace.
How we reported this
North Highlands posted a 14 percent year-over-year rise in median home prices through June 2026, the strongest gain among Sacramento County suburbs tracked by the county assessor.
Buyers priced out of Roseville and Folsom have shifted focus to this northern pocket as mortgage rates held near 6.1 percent in recent weeks and national market uncertainty pushed investors toward lower entry points close to downtown jobs.
The surge centers on blocks along Watt Avenue near Elkhorn Boulevard and around the redeveloped portions of the old McClellan Air Force Base site, where the Sacramento County Department of Community Development has approved new townhome clusters and the North Highlands Recreation and Park District opened upgraded fields at 3501 Elkhorn Boulevard last spring.
County assessor data released on 2 July showed 312 single-family homes sold in North Highlands between April and June, up 22 percent from the same period in 2025, with average days on market falling to 18; by comparison, nearby Antelope recorded a 7 percent price increase and Citrus Heights posted just 4 percent.
Access and amenities driving demand
Commuters reach downtown Sacramento in 15 minutes via Interstate 80 or the Watt Avenue light-rail station, while the new 2025 expansion of the McClellan Business Park has added 1,800 jobs in logistics and tech support within the suburb itself.
Inventory remains tight at 1.8 months of supply, according to the Sacramento Association of Realtors June report, compared with 2.7 months countywide.
Next steps for buyers and investors
Prospective buyers should review current listings through the Sacramento County Multiple Listing Service and contact the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency for details on down-payment assistance programs available in ZIP code 95660 before the next rate adjustment expected in September.
Local agents recommend touring properties on streets such as Don Julio Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue early in the week, when new listings typically appear, to stay ahead of multiple-offer situations that have become common in the past four months.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.