Rocklin and Elk Grove receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Rocklin
Elk Grove
Opportunity
65 · Top 33%
vs61 · Top 39%
Growth
82 · Top 4%
vs64 · Top 26%
Climate
81 · Top 16%
vs79 · Top 18%
Physical resilience
44 · Bottom 34%
vs63 · Top 45%
Housing affordability
65 · Bottom 27%
vs69 · Bottom 33%
Access
98 · Top 20%
vs95 · Top 36%
Economic stability
70 · Top 29%
vs69 · Top 32%
Measured values
| Metric | Rocklin | Elk Grove | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,327 | 179,155 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $124,168 | $125,924 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $58,054 | $46,347 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,696/sq mi | 4,205/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $703,400 | $630,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,258 | $2,262 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.3% | 73.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.4% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48.0% | 38.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 5.6% | 8.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 630 | 1,144 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.6 | 6.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 156.1% | -17.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 94°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 41°F | 39°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 18.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 18 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.7 min | 32.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.4 | 39.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 21 | 39 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 21.68 | 22.81 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 22.9% | 50.4% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Rocklin
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Elk Grove
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake.
Full profiles: Rocklin, CA · Elk Grove, CA · How this is calculated: methodology