Elk Grove CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 19.9% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 10.9% | 6.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 17.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 8.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $121,984 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 9.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Elk Grove +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $871,599 | Elk Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 44.3% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 19.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
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, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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