Elgin IL vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 45.4% | 29.0% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.9% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 30.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,452,609 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 56.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 61.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
San Jose
30.4 min
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.4 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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