GRID Blog: Sacramento’s Return to Office – The Latest Numbers

Sacramento’s offices are getting busier. New foot-traffic data from Placer.ai shows that office visits in the Sacramento region have recovered to 57% of pre-pandemic levels as of August 2026, compared with January 2020. Nationwide, the figure is 65%.

That eight-point gap tells two stories. Sacramento’s recovery is real and still climbing, and the market has room left to grow.

A Steady Climb Since 2021

After falling below 20% in the spring of 2020, Sacramento office visits have risen year after year. Sacramento has tracked just behind the national average for most of that stretch, and the gap has held steady even as both lines moved up. The recovery hasn’t stalled; it’s still underway.

Midweek Is the New Peak

The data also shows when people are coming in. Wednesday is Sacramento’s busiest office day, at 79% of pre-pandemic traffic. Monday (69%), Tuesday (64%) and Thursday (62%) follow, while Friday trails at 43%.

Hybrid schedules have settled into a clear midweek rhythm. Tenants are planning their space around their busiest days, not a five-day, full-occupancy model.

The Longest Commutes Lead the Return

One of the more surprising findings is who is coming back. Employees who commute 25 miles or more show the strongest recovery at 81%, well ahead of those traveling 0 to 5 miles (62%), 5 to 10 miles (52%) or 10 to 25 miles (54%).

When people make a longer trip to the office, they expect the trip to be worth it.

Tenants Want Space Worth the Trip

Across our leasing and sales activity, we’re seeing tenants gravitate toward creative office space in live-work-play environments: buildings with character, walkable access to restaurants and amenities, and layouts that encourage collaboration. These are the places that make people want to come in, not just places they’re required to be.

“The numbers confirm what we’re seeing every day. Tenants aren’t looking for more square footage; they’re looking for the right square footage. The buildings winning right now are the ones that give people a reason to show up: great locations, real amenities and space that feels good to work in. For owners and investors, Sacramento’s gap to the national average isn’t a warning sign. It’s an opportunity.”

— Ken Turton, President

What It Means for Landlords and Investors

For landlords: Position your space around the experience it offers. Highlight amenities, walkability and collaborative layouts, and consider how your space serves tenants on their peak midweek days.

For investors: Sacramento trails the national recovery rate, which points to upside in well-located, amenity-rich office assets as the market continues to catch up.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re looking to buy office property or thinking about listing your building, Turton’s team knows the Sacramento market block by block.

Call us at 916.573.3300 or browse office properties for sale. Ready to list? Contact our team.

Written by Brooke Butler, Senior Vice President of Operations & Marketing at Turton Commercial Real Estate.