Elgin IL vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Fresno
18.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 18.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 38.0% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $66,804 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $31,012 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.6% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 20.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 24.9% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $391,442 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 49.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, 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%
Elgin +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 64.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, 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 Fresno. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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