Elk Grove CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elk Grove
177,221
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 23.2% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 10.9% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 6.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $67,544 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $35,825 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 19.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 34.1% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 42.4% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.5% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Elk Grove. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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