Elk Grove CA vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 94,723 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 10.3% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 10.9% | 0.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 3.5% | 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 +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $111,242 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $672,082 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.5% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while elk Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $637,623. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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