Elgin IL vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 44,998 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 57.8 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 17.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 24.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $71,979 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.2% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 13.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Palmdale
65.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $503,393 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 65.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 63.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
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 Palmdale. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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