Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Stockton, CA
🏆 Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Stockton
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,612
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
320,030 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
77% less violent crime than Stockton
Homes cost $140k less ($242,500 vs $382,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.0%)
Households earn $14,386 more per year on average
Rent averages $227/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,417)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Stockton, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $382,000
Violent crime (1145.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Elgin by $14,386/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,417/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 107.4 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$14,386
$85,998 vs $71,612/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
77% lower
266.7 vs 1145.8 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$140k less
$242,500 vs $382,000
Elgin
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.7% unemployment
Stockton
Summer Heat
10.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.7°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Stockton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $382,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,417⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $71,612 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 5.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 302⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (74) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 18.3% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 77.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Stockton Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 94.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 320,030 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 33.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 51.7% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Stockton's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 16 and Stockton wins 7. 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 Stockton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $382,000 median home), income ($85,998 vs $71,612), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Stockton, CA are about 1,757 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.