Moving from Fullerton, CA to Elk Grove, CA
It is a 400 mi drive, roughly 7h 29m, between Fullerton, CA and Elk Grove, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
400 mi Β· 7h 29m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Elk Grove at 106.67 vs Fullerton at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,050,945 to $637,450 moving to Elk Grove.
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 18.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fullerton (66.2Β°F) and Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.24 |
Households in Elk Grove earn about 6.1% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 400 mi and the route typically takes 7h 29m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 400 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Fullerton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 6.1% lower than Fullerton (106.67 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 17.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· Elk Grove, CA.