Elk Grove, CA vs Long Beach, CA

Elk Grove, CA and Long Beach, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Elk Grove scores 154 while Long Beach scores 157 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elk Grove is $2,180/month compared to $1,803/month in Long Beach — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Long Beach has cheaper rent, Elk Grove actually has lower median home values ($603,400 vs $762,200).

Median household income in Elk Grove is $122,229 compared to $83,969 in Long Beach (+45.6%). 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 Elk Grove spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Long Beach.

Climate-wise, Long Beach is notably warmer with an average of 64.9°F compared to 61.8°F in Elk Grove. Elk Grove receives more rainfall at 18.1" per year compared to 12" in Long Beach.