Elk Grove CA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 18.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 10.9% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 17.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 9.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $73,055 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $41,594 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 15.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 53.2% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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