Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

- Population: 71,676
- Median home value: $637,200
- Median rental price: $2,109

- Top schools nearby: Rocklin Academy Meyers (grade A+), Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (grade A), Valley View Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Sacramento Waldorf School (grade A), Freedom Christian School (grade A−), Sacramento Adventist Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#5. Rocklin, California

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Population: 49,082
- Median home value: $810,000
- Median rental price: $2,366

- Top schools nearby: Vista Del Lago High School (grade A+), Miller's Hill (grade A), Oak Ridge High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Sacramento Waldorf School (grade A), Capital Christian School (grade A), Freedom Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#4. El Dorado Hills, California

F8 studio // Shutterstock

- Population: 22,180
- Median home value: $1,012,100
- Median rental price: $2,077

- Top schools nearby: Granite Bay High School (grade A+), Rocklin Academy Meyers (grade A+), Western Sierra Collegiate Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Freedom Christian School (grade A−), Sacramento Adventist Academy (grade B+), Valley Christian Academy (grade B−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#3. Granite Bay, California

FamVeld // Shutterstock

- Population: 7,910
- Median home value: $644,200
- Median rental price: $2,466

- Top schools nearby: Robert J. McGarvey Elementary (grade A), Visions In Education (grade A), Bella Vista High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Sacramento Country Day School (grade A+), Christian Brothers High School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#2. Gold River, California

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Population: 67,203
- Median home value: $803,100
- Median rental price: $1,927

- Top schools nearby: Davis Senior High School (grade A+), Robert E. Willett Elementary School (grade A), Cesar Chavez Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Francis Catholic High School (grade A), Woodland Christian School (grade B+), The Academy of 21st Century Learning (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Davis, California