Elgin IL vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 43.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.3% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 19.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
55.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,364,265 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, 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%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.2 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, 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 Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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