Elk Grove CA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 11.2% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 10.9% | 4.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 2.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $78,779 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $39,586 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 10.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 31.5% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 64.3% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 13.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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