Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Roseville, CA
🏆 Roseville leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Roseville
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$112,265 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
58 ✓ Safer
Population
148,879 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $354k less ($242,500 vs $596,700)
Rent averages $750/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,940)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Roseville
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Roseville by $26,267/yr
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.5%)
Roseville, CA
Pros
18% less violent crime than Elgin
Households earn $26,267 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.5%)
More college-educated — 44.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $596,700
Higher rents — median is $1,940/mo
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Elgin
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Home Value
$354k less
$242,500 vs $596,700
Roseville
Median Income
$26,267
$112,265 vs $85,998/yr
Roseville
Violent Crime
18% lower
219.2 vs 266.7 per 100k
Roseville
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.5% vs 6.0% unemployment
Roseville
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 93.6°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Roseville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $596,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,940⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $112,265 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 27.7 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 19.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 68 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 44.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 95.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Roseville City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 93.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 20.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 148,879 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 68.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 17.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Roseville's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roseville leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 7 and Roseville wins 16. 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 Roseville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $596,700 median home), income ($85,998 vs $112,265), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Roseville, CA are about 1,740 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.