Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
177,221
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 177,221 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 41.5% | 34.9% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 10.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
$44,932
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
38.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $44,932 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 38.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $637,623 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.7 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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