10 Best Independent Living Communities in Folsom, CA

Learn More About Independent Living in Folsom, CA

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, Folsom sits just northwest of Sacramento and offers residents countless outdoor opportunities. This is a land of lakes, rivers, bridges, and trails — all telling different tales of Northern California’s industrial history.

Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Folsom are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Folsom retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Folsom, CA

The median monthly cost of independent living is about $1,500 in Folsom and $2,300 within the Sacramento area. The median monthly cost of independent living in the state of California is around $3,000.

Learn More About Folsom, CA

Cost of Living

The total household expenses associated with living in Folsom are rated 24 points above the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are also rated above average.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is twice as expensive as the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half as expensive.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Grocery	Clothing
124	151	124	119	125	119

Income and Housing

Median income age 45-64	Median income age 65+	Median household income	Average individual income	Median employee salary	Average property tax	One-bedroom apartment gross rent estimate
$122,484/ per year	$50,337 per year	$104,193 per year	$41,600 per year	$47,286 per year	$5,400 per year	$821 per month

Local Hospitals

The top hospitals that service Folsom include:

Mercy Hospital of Folsom

• Facility type: faith-based, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 100+
• Specialties: emergency department, inpatient surgery, ICU

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

• Facility type: nonprofit, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 320+
• Specialties: emergency department, ICU, joint replacement

Weather and Climate

With a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, Folsom has mild to cool winters with limited rainfall. Snow is very rare. During the summer months, the “delta breeze” brings relief from extreme heat, particularly at nighttime. Summers in the Sacramento area are also known for having an abundance of sunshine hours, with July through September being the sunniest location on the planet. The average humidity level is 67%, and humidity levels are often highest during January at about 85%.

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
47°F	55°F	39°F

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
78°F	95°F	61°F

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 81

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average Annual Precipitation: 24.6″

Demographics and Values

Population Statistics

Median age	Percent of population over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
39	13%	80,113	2,891.8 per square mile	2.6

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
0.5%	17.1%	3.4%	11.8%	0.4%	5.9%	62.1%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Sacramento: 30/30
• Overall inclusivity: 100/100

2016 Presidential Election Results for Sacramento County

Democratic	Republican	Other
58.6%	34.9%	6.6%

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

Some of the most popular museums and historic sites in Folsom include:

• Folsom History Museum
• Folsom Prison Museum
• Rainbow Bridge
• Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
• Railroad History Museum
• Chinese Heritage Museum
• Folsom Pioneer Village

Outdoor attractions in Folsom:

• Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
• Mississippi Bar (nature preserve)
• Folsom Point
• Livermore Community Park
• Lembi Park
• Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
• Bike trails: the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail, Folsom Rail Trail, Folsom Lake Trail, American River Bike Trail
• Hiking trails: American River Trail, Pioneer Express Trail, Sweetwater Trail, Rattlesnake Bar-Horseshoe Bar Trail

Folsom’s top entertainment destinations and shopping districts are:

• Harris Center at Folsom Lake College (performance arts)
• Sutter Street Theatre
• Folsom Historic District (restaurants and shops)

Transportation

Public transportation in Folsom is available via Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT), which operates the Folsom Stage Line bus. For seniors 55 and older, SacRT offers discounted rates as well as the Folsom State Line Dial-A-Ride service providing curb-to-curb transportation by request. SacRT also runs a light rail called the Gold Line between Sacramento and Folsom’s Historic District.