Elk Grove CA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 34.9% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 10.9% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 6.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $62,894 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $41,142 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 19.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 36.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 42.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 38.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.1% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 24.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.6% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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