Elk Grove CA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 170,013 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 13.9% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 10.9% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 4.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $76,083 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $29,766 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 20.1% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 58.4% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.3% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.0% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 33.0 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Elk Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Lancaster 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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