Elk Grove CA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 156,309 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 8.5% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 4.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $85,789 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 9.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 58.1% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 19.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.7% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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