2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Berkeley, CA vs Elk Grove, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Elk Grove or is it cheaper to live in Berkeley?
- Elk Grove is 34.9% less expensive than Berkeley.

Which city has more affordable housing, Elk Grove or Berkeley?
- Elk Grove housing costs are 62.9% less expensive than Berkeley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley or is Health Care more affordable in Elk Grove.
- Health related expenses are 11.0% less in Elk Grove.
 Berkeley, CAElk Grove, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock127.2100
 Food & Groceries114.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock104.0100
 Housing521.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$597,800$338,100
 Utilities91  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock128.0100
 Miscellaneous158.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Berkeley

Reviews for Elk Grove    15 Reviews

I grew up in the area around Elk Grove and it was a very small rural town up to the year 2000. We moved to ELk grove in 2009 and commuted to work in Sacramento. At  More

   |    Reply

Elk Grove is a very diverse city. A long time ago it use to be very white. Now the white population is about 40%, then next majority race are Asian, then Hispanic,  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Our neighborhood is o.k. but it is expensive to live here and the air is oppressive during the summer when it gets hot for a week or more. Days over 95 and nights of 75.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Elk Grove


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.