Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Elk Grove, CA
🏆 Elk Grove leads 16 of 22 categories
Anaheim
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Elk Grove
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50 ✓ Safer
Population
176,105
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.4%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Rent averages $118/mo less ($1,958 vs $2,076)
Cons
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Elk Grove by $27,326/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
68% less violent crime than Anaheim
Households earn $27,326 more per year on average
Homes cost $153k less ($560,500 vs $713,600)
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 5.4%)
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.4% unemployment
Elk Grove
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 108.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Elk Grove
Median Income
$27,326
$115,864 vs $88,538/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
68% lower
189.9 vs 596.2 per 100k
Elk Grove
Median Home Value
$153k less
$560,500 vs $713,600
Elk Grove
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.6°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 108.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $560,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,076⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 | $115,864 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 22.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 90.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Elk Grove Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 56.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 92.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 18.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 176,105 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 73.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Elk Grove's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Elk Grove is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Elk Grove leads 16 of 22 categories. Anaheim wins 6 and Elk Grove wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Elk Grove or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $560,500 median home), income ($88,538 vs $115,864), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Elk Grove, CA are about 374 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.