Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Austin, TX
VS
Elk Grove, CA
🏆 Austin leads 13 of 23 categories
Austin
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$86,556
Violent Crime Index
123⚠ High
Population
958,202 ✓ Larger
Elk Grove
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
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.
Austin, TX
Pros
Rent averages $527/mo less ($1,549 vs $2,076)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.4%)
Homes cost $99k less ($461,500 vs $560,500)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 56.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Elk Grove
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $29,308/yr
Violent crime (466.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3241.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
59% less violent crime than Austin
Households earn $29,308 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Austin
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Austin
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Austin
Median Home Value
$99k less
$461,500 vs $560,500
Austin
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.4% vs 6.4% unemployment
Austin
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 92.6°F
Elk Grove
Median Income
$29,308
$115,864 vs $86,556/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
59% lower
189.9 vs 466.9 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Elk Grove, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $461,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $560,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,549⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,076⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,556 | $115,864 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 22.9% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 91.1% ✓ Higher | 90.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AUSTIN ISD | Elk Grove Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 56.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 92.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 18.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 958,202 ✓ Larger | 176,105 |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 73.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Elk Grove's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Austin is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Austin leads 13 of 23 categories. Austin wins 13 and Elk Grove wins 10. 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 Austin to Elk Grove or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($461,500 vs $560,500 median home), income ($86,556 vs $115,864), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Austin, TX and Elk Grove, CA are about 1,455 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.