Elk Grove CA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 119,970 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 23.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 26.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Black | 10.9% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 2.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $45,300 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $27,319 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 10.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 25.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 18.3% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 25.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 40.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.8% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 20.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 16.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Elk Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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