Elk Grove CA vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Kent
14.1%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 84,389 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 14.1% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 10.9% | 2.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $72,867 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,662 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 13.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 27.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $657,911 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 62.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.2% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.3% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
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, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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