Elgin IL vs Elk Grove CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Elk Grove
39.0
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Elk Grove
25.0%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Elk Grove
18.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.0 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 25.0% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 34.9% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 18.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $44,932 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 38.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $637,623 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Elk Grove
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elk Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 33.7 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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