Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Fullerton, CA
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 22 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Fullerton
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,279 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
142,280 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $549k less ($242,500 vs $791,000)
Rent averages $799/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,989)
41% less violent crime than Fullerton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.0%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Fullerton
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Fullerton by $13,281/yr
Fullerton, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 44.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $13,281 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $791,000
Higher rents — median is $1,989/mo
Violent crime (455.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Violent Crime
41% lower
266.7 vs 455.3 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$549k less
$242,500 vs $791,000
Elgin
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.0% vs 6.9% unemployment
Fullerton
Median Income
$13,281
$99,279 vs $85,998/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fullerton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $791,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,989⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $99,279 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 30.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 110⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 44.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 89.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Fullerton Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 84.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 11.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 142,280 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Fullerton's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 22 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Fullerton wins 10. 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 Elgin to Fullerton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $791,000 median home), income ($85,998 vs $99,279), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Fullerton, CA are about 1,698 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.