Elgin IL vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 22.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.2% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,716 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 25.7% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $648,603 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 56.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, 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%
Elgin +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.7% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 66.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 34.1 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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