Moving from Sacramento, CA to Elk Grove, CA
It is a short 13 mi hop from Sacramento, CA to Elk Grove, CA — roughly 18 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
13 mi · 18 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, E12, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Sacramento and Elk Grove sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $479,766 in Sacramento to $637,450 in Elk Grove, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 18.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 61.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.24 |
Elk Grove households earn about 0.0% more than Sacramento at the median — $83,753 → $122,229 on ACS 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 20–30% 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 93°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 — 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 much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 32.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 13 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 13 mi and the route typically takes 18 min via CA 99 and E12. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 45.9% 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Elk Grove, CA.