Elk Grove CA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 26,509 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 7.1% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 10.9% | 3.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 5.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 3.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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