Chula Vista 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 65.7% | 45.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $88,316 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $36,037 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 10.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 26.0% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Chula Vista, 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
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 35.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 37.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 30.4 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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