Elgin IL vs Garden 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
37.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.6 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 45.4% | 28.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.3% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 37.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Garden Grove
5.8%
Garden Grove +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $32,387 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.8% | Garden Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 24.9% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
53.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,012,728 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 53.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden 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%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Garden Grove
12.4%
Garden Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.4% | Garden Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden 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
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.1 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, 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 Garden Grove. Garden Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA