Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Sacramento, CA
It is a short 13 mi hop from Elk Grove, CA to Sacramento, CA β 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 Β· 18 min by car Β· 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
| Elk Grove | Sacramento | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 19.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 39 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.63 |
Sacramento households earn about 0.0% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $83,753 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento 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 Sacramento average 94Β°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 far is Sacramento, CA from Elk Grove, 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 the job market in Sacramento compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% 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 β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 31.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 24.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Sacramento, CA.