Elk Grove CA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Portland
11.1%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 68,505 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 11.1% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 10.9% | 9.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 3.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 3.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $76,174 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 11.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 46.7% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 27.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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