Elk Grove CA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Portland
12.4%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 12.4% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 10.9% | 5.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 8.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 11.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $88,792 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 52.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.7% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 26.5 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 $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Elk Grove 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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