Davis, CA vs Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove is moderately more affordable than Davis, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Davis scores 168 compared to 154 for Elk Grove, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Davis can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Davis is $2,043/month compared to $2,180/month in Elk Grove — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Davis has cheaper rent, Elk Grove actually has lower median home values ($603,400 vs $829,000).

Median household income in Davis is $87,421 compared to $122,229 in Elk Grove (-28.5%). Elk Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Davis spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Elk Grove.