Elk Grove CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 10.7% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 10.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 2.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 17.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $57,673 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,074 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 17.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 37.2% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 54.6% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.4% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.2% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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