Elgin IL vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 24.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 29.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 11.1% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,006,261 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 47.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 61.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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