Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Los Angeles, CA
🏆 Elgin leads 15 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Los Angeles
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,244
Violent Crime Index
192⚠ High
Population
3,881,041 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $580k less ($242,500 vs $822,600)
63% less violent crime than Los Angeles
Rent averages $601/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,791)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.0%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Los Angeles
Households earn $9,754 more per year on average
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Los Angeles, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 36.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $822,600
Higher rents — median is $1,791/mo
Violent crime (728.5/100k) 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
Median Income
$9,754
$85,998 vs $76,244/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
63% lower
266.7 vs 728.5 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$580k less
$242,500 vs $822,600
Elgin
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.7% unemployment
Elgin
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 78.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Los Angeles, 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 | $822,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,791⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $76,244 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 71 |
| 🎓 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 | 19.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 36.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 78.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Los Angeles Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 78.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 14.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 3,881,041 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 36.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Los Angeles's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 15 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 15 and Los Angeles wins 8. 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 Los Angeles or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $822,600 median home), income ($85,998 vs $76,244), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Los Angeles, CA are about 1,718 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.