Elgin IL vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Glendale
18.5%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 41.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 45.4% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.7% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Glendale
$84,262
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Glendale
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $84,262 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.2% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 13.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,205,826 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 35.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, 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%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Glendale
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 64.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.2 min | Glendale + |
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 Glendale. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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