Elk Grove CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 149,519 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 41.6 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 6.8% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 10.9% | 4.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 2.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $93,371 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $39,604 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 31.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 29.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 10.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.4% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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