Elk Grove, CA vs Pico Rivera, CA
Pico Rivera is moderately more affordable than Elk Grove, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Elk Grove scores 154 compared to 145 for Pico Rivera, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elk Grove can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Elk Grove is $2,180/month compared to $1,775/month in Pico Rivera — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pico Rivera has cheaper rent, Elk Grove actually has lower median home values ($603,400 vs $621,400).
Median household income in Elk Grove is $122,229 compared to $86,956 in Pico Rivera (+40.6%). While Elk Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elk Grove spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in Pico Rivera.
Climate-wise, Pico Rivera is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 61.8°F in Elk Grove. Elk Grove receives more rainfall at 18.1" per year compared to 14.3" in Pico Rivera.
Income & Cost
Housing
Salary Equivalency Calculator
What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?
Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)