Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Sunnyvale, CA
🏆 Sunnyvale leads 12 of 22 categories
Elgin
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Sunnyvale
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$174,506 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
154,573 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $1438k less ($242,500 vs $1,680,700)
Rent averages $1800/mo less ($1,190 vs $2,990)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Sunnyvale
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Sunnyvale by $88,508/yr
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.1%)
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Sunnyvale, CA
Pros
Households earn $88,508 more per year on average
More college-educated — 68.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (244.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,680,700
Higher rents — median is $2,990/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Elgin
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Home Value
$1438k less
$242,500 vs $1,680,700
Elgin
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 76.9°F
Sunnyvale
Median Income
$88,508
$174,506 vs $85,998/yr
Sunnyvale
Violent Crime
8% lower
244.5 vs 266.7 per 100k
Sunnyvale
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $1,680,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $2,990⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $174,506 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 24.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 75 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 68.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 94.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Cupertino Union |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 76.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 13.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 154,573 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 44.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 19.9% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Sunnyvale's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Sunnyvale leads 12 of 22 categories. Elgin wins 10 and Sunnyvale wins 12. 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 Sunnyvale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $1,680,700 median home), income ($85,998 vs $174,506), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Sunnyvale, CA are about 1,808 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.