Greater Sacramento
Living in El Dorado Hills
Foothill luxury living east of Sacramento, master-planned communities, Folsom Lake access, and Sacramento's top-ranked school district.
- Median Sale Price
- $877K
- July 2026
- Days on Market
- 26
- Median, July 2026
- Market
- Somewhat Competitive
- Redfin Compete Score 68/100
- Population
- 50,547
- U.S. Census, 2020 Census
Sources: Redfin, U.S. Census Bureau. Updated October 2026.
El Dorado Hills Overview
Living inEl Dorado Hills
El Dorado Hills is the premier foothill community east of Sacramento, a master-planned residential enclave that delivers panoramic Sierra Nevada views, immediate Folsom Lake access, and El Dorado Union High School District's top-5%-statewide academic rankings at prices that remain dramatically below comparable Bay Area communities. For Bay Area buyers who have been priced out of their primary market or who are deliberately downsizing from Silicon Valley to Sacramento's foothill communities, El Dorado Hills represents the most compelling value proposition in the Sacramento metropolitan area.
The housing stock is dominated by large single-family homes in planned communities, Serrano, El Dorado Hills Town Center-adjacent neighborhoods, and hillside custom estates with valley and lake views. Lots run significantly larger than Sacramento proper, with three- and four-car garages, private pools, and custom landscaping common throughout. The Town Center development anchors retail and dining, and the development pipeline continues to add amenities that are accelerating the community's profile. Multiple offers are increasingly common on well-priced properties as Bay Area migration continues.
Rami Tannous serves El Dorado Hills buyers through Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty, with office representation throughout the Sacramento region including Roseville, Sacramento, and Woodland. For Bay Area buyers making a relocation decision, Rami provides dual-market perspective, understanding both the Bay Area market where equity is being extracted and the El Dorado Hills market where it is being deployed. This perspective is essential for buyers navigating the complexity of a cross-market move.
- 01
Folsom Lake Access
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, 18,000 acres of boating, swimming, fishing, and trail access, begins at El Dorado Hills's northern edge. No Sacramento community has more immediate access to this level of recreation.
- 02
Top 5% Schools
El Dorado Union High School District ranks in the top 5% statewide. Oak Ridge and El Dorado High Schools deliver Bay Area-level academic outcomes at Sacramento pricing, the most compelling school value in the Sacramento metropolitan area.
- 03
Bay Area Equity
El Dorado Hills is the top destination for Bay Area equity deployments, buyers arriving with $800K to $1.2M from Silicon Valley home sales find a market that matches their budget with estate-scale properties and top schools.
- 04
Tahoe Proximity
Lake Tahoe's skiing, hiking, and lake recreation is 90 minutes from El Dorado Hills, transforming weekend outdoor access for Bay Area transplants accustomed to 3-hour drives from Silicon Valley.
Lifestyle
Life inEl Dorado Hills
Dining
Dining and Entertainment
El Dorado Hills Town Center has emerged as the community's dining and retail anchor, with Selland's Market Café (a Sacramento institution), Lucca Bar & Kitchen, and a growing collection of quality restaurants drawing residents from throughout the foothill communities. The proximity to Folsom's historic Sutter Street adds significant dining options 10 minutes west, and Sacramento's world-class farm-to-fork restaurant scene is 30 minutes away. For a community its size, El Dorado Hills punches well above its dining weight, and the pipeline of new restaurant development continues.
Recreation
Recreation and Parks
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is El Dorado Hills' most significant recreational asset, 18,000 acres of protected watershed with boating, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking directly accessible from the community's northern edge. El Dorado Hills Community Park anchors neighborhood recreation. The American River Parkway Trail connects cyclists and runners through the valley. The Sierra Nevada foothills provide world-class mountain biking, hiking, and winter skiing at Lake Tahoe within a 90-minute drive, a proximity that many Bay Area transplants cite as a primary quality-of-life upgrade.
El Dorado Union High School District is consistently ranked in the top 5% of California high school districts, Oak Ridge High School and El Dorado High School both deliver exceptional AP programs, college placement outcomes, and extracurricular breadth. The elementary feeders within El Dorado Hills serve the community with above-average performance. The school quality combined with the community's Bay Area transplant population creates high academic expectations that the district consistently meets. For families making the Bay Area-to-Sacramento relocation decision, El Dorado Hills' schools are often the primary justification for the foothill premium over Sacramento proper.
School assignments follow the address, not the city name. Always confirm boundaries with the district before you write an offer.
Homes for Sale in El Dorado Hills
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El Dorado Hills FAQ
El Dorado Hills questions, answered.
Straight answers on prices, schools, commute and timing. Have a question that is not here? Call or text 408-888-5144.
How much is a house in El Dorado Hills?
The median sale price in El Dorado Hills was $876,561 in July 2026, down 11.2 percent from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Prices vary widely by street, size and condition, so the most useful number is a valuation built on recent sales next to the home you are considering. Request a free home valuation for a pricing range with the comps behind it.
What school district is El Dorado Hills in?
El Dorado Hills is split among three elementary districts: Rescue Union, Buckeye Union and Latrobe. All of El Dorado Hills is served by El Dorado Union High School District, whose Oak Ridge High School is located in the community. Assignment depends on the street address, so buyers should confirm with the district.
How is the commute from El Dorado Hills?
US 50 is the main route from El Dorado Hills toward Sacramento and the Bay Area. SacRT's Gold Line light rail ends in neighboring Folsom at Iron Point station and runs to downtown Sacramento, where Amtrak's Capitol Corridor connects to Oakland and San Jose.
What is El Dorado Hills known for?
El Dorado Hills is an unincorporated, master planned community in El Dorado County, with the El Dorado Hills Town Center just south of US 50 serving as its commercial heart. Folsom Lake and the South Fork of the American River form its northern edge, and the original plan set aside open space between villages along with community parks and a golf course.
Is El Dorado Hills a buyer's or seller's market right now?
El Dorado Hills is a more balanced market right now, though well priced homes still sell quickly. Homes sold in a median of 26 days in July 2026, and Redfin rates the market Somewhat Competitive with a Compete Score of 68 out of 100. Overpriced listings sit and invite lower offers, so sellers do best pricing to recent sales on day one, and buyers do best with financing ready before they tour.
Who can help me buy or sell a home in El Dorado Hills?
Rami Tannous is a REALTOR with Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty (DRE #02334866). He specializes in helping Bay Area buyers relocate to the Sacramento region. Owners can request a home valuation, buyers can start a private search, or call or text 408-888-5144.
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