Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Corona +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Corona
41.6%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Corona +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 114,106 | Corona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 41.6% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.2% | Corona + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 6.0% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Corona +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $88,316 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $36,037 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.3% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 10.4% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 26.0% | Corona + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.8% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.1% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.8% | Corona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Corona +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Corona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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