Boulder CO vs Elk Grove CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boulder
106,274
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 81.8% | 34.9% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Elk Grove
$44,932
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
38.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $44,932 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 38.0% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $637,623 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Elk Grove
10.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 26.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.9% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.1% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 33.7 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while elk Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $637,623. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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