Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Elgin, IL
🏆 Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Elgin
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (554.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $320,600
Median income trails Elgin by $12,171/yr
Property crime (2469.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Elgin, IL
Pros
52% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Homes cost $78k less ($242,500 vs $320,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.0%)
Households earn $12,171 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 97°F
Rent averages $93/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,283)
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
13.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 84.1°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.2 on the COL index
Elgin
Median Income
$12,171
$85,998 vs $73,827/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
52% lower
266.7 vs 554.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$78k less
$242,500 vs $320,600
Elgin
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High | $242,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 | $1,190 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $85,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 52 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 26.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% ✓ Higher | 81.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | SD U-46 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 30.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 39.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 32.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 114,190 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 71.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 26.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 12.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Elgin's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 9 and Elgin wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Bakersfield to Elgin or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $242,500 median home), income ($73,827 vs $85,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Elgin, IL are about 1,709 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.