Anaheim CA vs Elgin IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Elgin
26.5%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 114,106 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.3 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 26.5% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 2.5% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 6.0% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 48.4% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $88,316 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $36,037 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.3% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 26.0% | Anaheim + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Anaheim +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 35.8% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.8% | Anaheim + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.1% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.2% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 37.8 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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