Elk Grove CA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 105,460 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 5.1% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 7.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $70,722 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,235 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 24.8% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 57.5% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.1% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 7.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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