Elk Grove CA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
5.7%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 112,818 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.2 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 16.5% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 10.9% | 4.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 5.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Gresham
$73,608
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $73,608 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,390 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 23.6% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
56.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $472,119 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 56.1% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.4% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.8 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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