Elk Grove CA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Independence
5.3%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 121,944 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 5.3% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.9% | 10.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 12.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $59,480 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $31,683 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 20.9% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 61.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 18.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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