Elk Grove CA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 21.6% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 10.9% | 4.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 11.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $119,926 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
72.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $802,780 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 72.0% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, 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
Elk Grove +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 37.4 min | Elk Grove + |
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, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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