Elk Grove CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 14.6% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 10.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 7.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 15.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $60,698 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $37,669 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 22.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 34.6% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 52.3% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Elk Grove +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 34.5 min | Elk Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Elk Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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