Elk Grove CA vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
19.7%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 21.3% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 10.9% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 19.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $83,753 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $42,300 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 14.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 36.4% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 51.5% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.9% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento 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%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA