Elk Grove CA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 42.9 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 34.9% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 10.9% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $79,935 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 53.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.2% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 14.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.0% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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