Is Citrus Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Citrus Heights

Citrus Heights, California, offers a suburban lifestyle with proximity to Sacramento, blending a community feel with access to urban amenities. This city provides a range of housing options and a diverse population, making it an attractive place for various individuals and families. Understanding the local landscape, from safety to economic opportunities, is key for anyone considering a move to this part of Northern California.

The city’s climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of the Mediterranean climate. This weather pattern supports an active outdoor lifestyle for much of the year. Citrus Heights is a well-established community that incorporated in 1997, aiming to provide local services and a distinct identity within Sacramento County.

Is it Safe to Live in Citrus Heights?

Recent data indicates a significant decrease in overall crime in Citrus Heights. Crime in key categories tracked by the FBI has dropped by 54.5 percent from 2007 through the end of 2025 (as reported by the Citrus Heights Police Department). Property crimes, in particular, have reached their lowest point in 2025, reflecting a positive trend in public safety efforts.

While overall crime has decreased, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary by neighborhood. Some sources indicate that Citrus Heights has a crime rate that is 25% below the national average, with a violent crime risk of 1 in 338 (as reported by DoorProfit). However, other analyses suggest that Citrus Heights has a crime rate of 27 per one thousand residents, which is higher than many communities of similar size (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Trends

Crimes against persons have remained relatively static over recent years, with minor fluctuations. In 2025, crimes against persons, including assaults and domestic violence, decreased by seven percent compared to the previous year (as reported by the Citrus Heights Police Department). Homicide and rape statistics were not shared in the latest reports.

Despite the overall downward trend, specific categories like aggravated assaults were higher in 2025 than in 2023, though lower than in 2024 (as reported by the Citrus Heights Police Department). This highlights the importance of staying informed about specific crime statistics relevant to individual concerns.

Property Crime Overview

Property crimes, which include burglary, larceny, theft, and arson, saw an eight percent decrease in 2025 (as reported by the Citrus Heights Police Department). Burglaries and motor vehicle thefts have also trended downward compared to 2024 statistics. This marks a significant achievement in reducing property-related offenses within the city.

However, one analysis notes that Citrus Heights has one of the higher rates of motor vehicle theft nationally, with a chance of becoming a victim of car theft at one in 253 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This specific statistic warrants attention for residents and law enforcement.

Housing Costs in Citrus Heights

The housing market in Citrus Heights is described as very competitive, with homes receiving an average of three offers (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price of a home in Citrus Heights was approximately $452,000 in March 2026, reflecting a decrease of 10.5% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

The median sale price per square foot is around $320, showing a slight decrease of 0.31% year-over-year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Citrus Heights are selling faster than last year, with the average time on the market decreasing.

Home Prices

The median home price in Citrus Heights was $452,000 in March 2026, down 10.5% from the prior year (as reported by Redfin). In the Northwest Citrus Heights area, home prices were up 1.9% in March 2026, with a median sale price of $480,000 (as reported by Redfin). This indicates some regional variation within the city.

The price per square foot in Northwest Citrus Heights is approximately $332, an increase of 4.7% since last year (as reported by Redfin). The number of homes sold in March 2026 was 27, a decrease from 35 homes sold in March of the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

As of April 30, 2026, the average rent in Citrus Heights is $1,895 per month (as reported by Zillow). This represents a $45 increase month-over-month and a $155 decrease year-over-year. The rental price range for all property types spans from $600 to $3,750.

Apartment rental trends show an average rent of $1,598 per month as of May 2026, which is 3% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,598 per month, while a two-bedroom averages approximately $1,894 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Citrus Heights is influenced by various factors, including housing, utilities, and transportation. While specific cost of living index data for Citrus Heights is not readily available, broader regional data can provide context. The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) publishes a Cost of Living Index that measures differences in consumer goods and services across urban areas.

In general, the Sacramento metropolitan area, which includes Citrus Heights, tends to have a cost of living that is close to the national average. However, specific costs can fluctuate based on economic conditions and market trends.

Income and Employment

As of April 2026, the average annual salary in Citrus Heights is $42,173, which equates to approximately $20.28 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Citrus Heights was $82,314 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). This figure is slightly higher than the national median household income.

The unemployment rate in Citrus Heights was 5% in February 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). This rate is higher than the California state unemployment rate of 5.4% in February 2026 (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Major Employers and Job Market

The job market in Citrus Heights is diverse, with key industries including healthcare and social assistance, which is the top industry with 4,900 workers (as reported by the City of Citrus Heights). Retail is the second-largest industry, employing 4,200 workers, followed by accommodations and food service with 2,800 employees (as reported by the City of Citrus Heights).

Major companies in the area include ITC Service Group, Quality First Home Improvement, and Les Schwab Tire Centers, which employs over 7,000 people nationwide (as reported by Zippia). UC Davis is also a significant employer in the broader Sacramento region, offering numerous employment opportunities.

Climate in Citrus Heights

Citrus Heights experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, arid summers and cold, wet winters. The temperature typically ranges from 39°F to 95°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 31°F or exceeding 103°F (as reported by Wikipedia). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 95°F, and the coldest month is December, with average lows around 40°F (as reported by Wikipedia).

Rainfall is seasonal, with the rainy period lasting from September to May. February typically sees the most rain, averaging 4.5 inches, while August experiences virtually no rainfall (as reported by Wikipedia). The city enjoys approximately 268 sunny days per year (as reported by the Official Website of Citrus Heights).

Education in Citrus Heights

The school system in Citrus Heights is served by various public and private institutions. Niche.com provides ratings for schools, with some elementary schools receiving a C+ overall grade and a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 (as reported by Niche). Middle and high schools also receive varied grades, with some high schools earning a B- rating (as reported by Niche).

For example, San Juan High School has a B- rating with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 (as reported by Niche). The Roseville Joint Union High School District, which serves some areas near Citrus Heights, has an overall rating of 4.12 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Citrus Heights

As of the 2020 census, Citrus Heights had a population of 87,583 (as reported by Wikipedia). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White, at 68.9%, followed by Hispanic or Latino at 19.6% (as reported by Wikipedia). Recent estimates indicate the population is 65.6% White and 20.1% Hispanic (as reported by Data Commons).

The median age in Citrus Heights is 38.6 years (as reported by Wikipedia). The age distribution shows 20.7% of the population is under 18, and 18.1% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The city is slightly more diverse than some neighboring communities but less diverse than California as a whole (as reported by Data Commons).