Elgin IL vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
22.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 22.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 27.6% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,988 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $23,980 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $492,059 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 48.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, 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 +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.1% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.6% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 20.2% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.7 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 San Bernardino. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and San Bernardino 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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