Elk Grove CA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
25.8%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 34.9% | 28.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Black | 10.9% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 25.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $94,813 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $664,939 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 28.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Jersey City
26.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 26.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Elk Grove +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 40.3 min | Elk Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while elk Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $637,623. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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