Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elk Grove, CA
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Elk Grove leads 16 of 23 categories
Elk Grove
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50 ✓ Safer
Population
176,105
Rochester
New York
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Households earn $71,708 more per year on average
67% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (6.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 33°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Rochester
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $449k less ($111,400 vs $560,500)
Rent averages $1081/mo less ($995 vs $2,076)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Elk Grove
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $71,708/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 6.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elk Grove
Median Income
$71,708
$115,864 vs $44,156/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
67% lower
189.9 vs 582.3 per 100k
Elk Grove
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
6.4% vs 8.5% unemployment
Elk Grove
Summer Heat
10.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.6°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$449k less
$111,400 vs $560,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $560,500⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,076⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,864 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.1 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.7% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 50 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% ✓ Higher | 83.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elk Grove Unified | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.6°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 18.1" ✓ Drier | 35.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,105 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.7 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 21.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elk Grove's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elk Grove leads 16 of 23 categories. Elk Grove wins 16 and Rochester wins 7. 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 Elk Grove to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($560,500 vs $111,400 median home), income ($115,864 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elk Grove, CA and Rochester, NY are about 2,287 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.