Skyline of Elk Grove
Cost of Living: 128.5 176,124

Elk Grove, CA, US

Sacramento suburb with diversity, parks, and more affordable than Bay Area.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 128.5

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 158.4

Very Expensive

Median Income $92,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Elk Grove vs US Average

Cost of Living
Elk Grove: 128.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Elk Grove: 158.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Elk Grove: 9.3%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.8%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $92,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 176,124

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 265/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 39°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $550,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1900/mo

Cost of Living

Elk Grove's cost of living index is 128.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryElk GroveNational AverageDifference
Overall128.5100+28.5%
Housing158.4100+58.4%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$550,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$366

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Elk Grove:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$250Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$44Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$47Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$90Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$35Private service
Total Utilities$526Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Elk Grove scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
128.5
Rent
$1900
Sunny Days
265
Tax
9.3%
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
93°F / 39°F
Safety
1.7 homicides/100k
Population
176,124
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Elk Grove has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January59°F39°F2.5"
April78°F54°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F57°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Elk Grove faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.75%
  • Property Tax: ~0.82% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Elk Grove per 100,000 residents:

189.9
Violent Crime
1,231.9
Property Crime
1.7
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

67/100
School Quality Score
Better than 23% of US cities
?
38
Total Schools
11.5:1
Student:Teacher
78.3%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elk Grove, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Elk Grove is 128.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Elk Grove?

The median home price in Elk Grove is $550,000. The housing index is 158.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Elk Grove is approximately $1900/mo.

Does Elk Grove, CA have income tax?

Elk Grove is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 9.3%.

What is the climate like in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove enjoys approximately 265 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 39°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.