Firstly why Elk-Grove, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Elk-Grove
- State: California
- Population: 177,176 people
- Elk-Grove’s quick summary would be Recognized for its rapid growth and the Elk Grove Regional Park.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 10,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 8,000 annually
- Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 200
- Number of Homeless people: 300
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers suburban amenities and a growing school system appealing to families
Perk #1: Elk-Grove Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Asian
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $77,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Elk-Grove is $79,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $2000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Elk-Grove’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 125 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,902
- Property Tax %: 1.23%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,700
- Rent for an average house: $2,600
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Elk Grove
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Elk-Grove, Laguna-Station, Franklin, Isleton, and probably could include Florin
- Avg. Age of Homes in Elk-Grove: 23 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.1%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Elk-Grove’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Elk-Grove are Healthcare, Retail, and Education
- Elk-Grove Job Scene: growing job market primarily in education and retail
- The General Tech Scene: emerging tech scene with a focus on education and healthcare technologies , ,
- Elk-Grove Resident’s pay $1,400 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Elk-Grove: 8.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 110 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 3
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Elk-Grove
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
- Freeway Access: Highway 99 provides north-south connectivity for Elk Grove
- Commute Time: 22 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy delays on Elk Grove Boulevard
- Transportation Score: 45 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Elk-Grove: 67,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.4
- No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Elk-Grove: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
- Local Airport: Sacramento International
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Elk-Grove’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
- General Weather in Elk-Grove is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures exceeding 100°F and cool winters with light rain
- Winter Weather in Elk-Grove i’d describe as cool with rain occasionally
- Spring Weather in Elk-Grove can be described as warm with some rain
- Summer’s in Elk-Grove are mostly warm and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Elk-Grove is usually cool and pleasant
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 11 days in summer
- Days in a row in Elk-Grove below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 22 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality with ozone issues during summer
- Elk-Grove Winter Air good air quality slightly affected by urbanization
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Elk-Grove Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Elk-Grove 4
- While the number of trade schools inside Elk-Groves’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Elk Grove Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Elk-Grove Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Elk-Grove only Doctors is about 55
- Local Hospitals here is 2
- Full-time Elk-Grove only Police Officers is about 120
- Crime Rate Index: 30/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Elk-Grove’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
- Elk-Grove’s Monthly Gym Membership: $54
- Elk-Grove’s Water Quality Score: 74
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Elk-Grove
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 7 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: suburban area with a strong sense of community and parks
- You might enjoy community musical events and theater
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Elk-Grove has a friendly nightlife further enhanced by local eateries and community events throughout the year
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Elk-Grove
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a variety of restaurants with a focus on local dining
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Elk-Grove
- The Popular Sports Team is Elk Grove High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Elk-Grove can be described as diverse suburban community with progressive initiatives
- Elk-Grove’s Longer standing religious establishment is Elk Grove United Methodist Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Elk-Grove Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Elk-Grove has 25 Parks?
- Elk Grove Regional Park is Elk-Grove’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Elk Grove Farmers Market normally open Sunday 8am-12pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and walking trails
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Elk-Grove Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Elk-Grove can be described as rapidly growing suburban area with a family-friendly atmosphere
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Elk-Grove exploring local parks outdoor movie nights sports activities
- The Cities people commute to from Elk-Grove are Sacramento 14 miles away Rancho-Cordova 21 miles away Stockton 43 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Elk-Grove or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: heavy delays on Elk Grove Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Elk-Grove’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Elk Grove is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Elk-Grove are Sacramento 14 miles away Rancho-Cordova 21 miles away Stockton 43 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Elk-Grove has 0 days in a row below freezing and 11 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Elk-Grove people have an average (positive or negative) $2000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
300 homeless people living in Elk-Grove. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general diverse suburban community with progressive initiatives could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Elk-Grove.
Retiree & Senior Life in Elk-Grove
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can take advantage of programs aimed at reducing taxes for the elderly
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Atria Elk Grove
- Elk Grove Senior Center offers wellness programs social events and health resources
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Elk-Grove, California?
If Elk-Grove, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Elk-Grove, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!