Elgin IL vs Pomona 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 45.4% | 22.7% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Pomona
$78,869
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Pomona
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $78,869 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $28,131 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 14.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 19.5% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $689,570 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 54.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, 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%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 65.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 34.5 min | Elgin + |
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 Pomona. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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