Elk Grove CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Waco
9.8%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 141,925 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 9.8% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 10.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 2.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $51,468 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $28,819 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 24.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 28.6% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 48.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.4% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 20.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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