Sacramento vs. Phoenix (San Francisco, Roseville, Rocklin: middle-class, ski resorts, condo)

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by mxcolin

Those 30 year averages don't really stack up now though. I'd bet the last 10 years show higher average highs.

I still go by the 30-150 year averages as they are more reliable. However, the last 10 years do prove an increase in average high winter temps, and likely that explains the near disappearance of consistent tule fog in Sacramento.

[Damnitjanet]

Originally Posted by shelato

The argument that you are trying to make here is not right, its not even wrong, its just dumb.

Okay that made me laugh.

[Chimérique]

MX and Shelato,

I've consistently said the biggest difference between Sacramento summers and Phx, Fres/Bako, and really almost 3/4 of the entire nation is Sacramento's consistently cool evening, night, and morning summer temps.

Sacramento is in that small group of ciites/metros with consistently cool evenings, night, and morning summer temps. Low temps that average in the 50's and 60's consistently throughout the summer.

That small group:
1. San Francisco - the cold pacific, consistent strong onshore flow, night and day, rarely stops, the high pressure of the valley sucks in that cold pacific air.

2. Seattle - the cold pacific and Puget sound.
3. Portland - the cold pacific - Because Portland is not on the coast, nor on the Pugent Sound it is often warmer than Seattle in the summer.

4. Denver - high elevation, the flat plain of Denver (5,000 plus feet). The thin air cools quickly and a lot at night.

5. Sacramento - the cold pacific combined with the wide opening of Sacramento Delta and wind direction/air flow FROM the south-southwest. Sacramento summer lows average almost on par with Denver.

[Chimérique]

MX, your latest city size arguments are fine, and make complete and total sense. Just laugh with them.

This nonsense that Fresno is "bigger" applies only to city limit size and Fresno's city limits are larger, hence the larger population.

Simply add, the bordering city of West Sacramento to the city of Sacramento, there you have it Sacramento is larger than Fresno. Sacramento and West Sacramento are contiguous, only separated by the Sacramento River.

You can do the same with Oakland just add one city that borders it, and there you have it Oakland is larger than Fresno. Same applies with Long Beach. Same applies with a few Orange County cities.

[CirculateRX]

Hi guys, OP here, I appreciate everyone’s feedback but feel maybe the current route of conversation isn’t helpful or furthering the topic. Thank you again though for unique information thus far. We’ve decided to come check Sacramento out in March, we’ve been in AZ our whole lives so we’ll know right away if we like it better there.

[Damnitjanet]

Good luck!

[OUgrad09]

For me, I would be willing to put up with Sacramento's "winter" just to avoid Phoenix or Las Vegas' consistent 100 degree+ summers.

I don't mind wearing a jacket during colder months. But if you absolutely need to wear flip flops in January, maybe you'd like Phoenix better.

[Majin]

Comparing our current weather to an average of the past 100 years is stupid, our climate has significantly changed over the last 10-20 years.

It used to rain significantly more and very consistently almost every year. That has all but disappeared.

And yes we certainly don't really have any significant winter anymore.

[markeg]

Now that Phoenix experienced approximately 54 days over 110 degrees in 2023, does that change anyone’s opinion on living in Phoenix vs Sacramento?

[JGC97]

Hands down, Sacramento. Both have plenty of amenities but if it's based solely on weather, there's no comparison. Even on the hottest day in Sacramento, you can go outside for a few hours in the morning. In Phoenix, that would be a challenge. I'm sure Phoenix is a fine place to live but if offered my choice, I'd choose Sacramento.