Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 114,106 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 54.8% | 45.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.2% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $88,316 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $36,037 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.3% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 26.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Elgin
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 37.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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