Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Elgin, IL
🏆 Elgin leads 13 of 23 categories
Chico
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Elgin
Illinois
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Elgin by $20,066/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $185k less ($242,500 vs $427,600)
62% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $20,066 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.0%)
Rent averages $170/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,360)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 95°F
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 84.1°F
Elgin
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$20,066
$85,998 vs $65,932/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
62% lower
266.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$185k less
$242,500 vs $427,600
Elgin
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.0% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $242,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,190 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $85,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 10.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 52 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 26.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 81.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | SD U-46 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 30.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 39.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 32.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 114,190 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 71.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 26.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Elgin's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 10 and Elgin wins 13. 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 Chico to Elgin or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $242,500 median home), income ($65,932 vs $85,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Elgin, IL are about 1,745 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.