Elgin IL vs Thousand Oaks 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%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Elgin
45.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,053,424 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, 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%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 62.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA