Elgin IL vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 21.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.4% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 36.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $802,780 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 37.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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