Elgin, IL vs Irvine, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 178). Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $85,998). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 113,310 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+2.6 |
C-
72.8 Score
Elgin, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$343,260
Population
113,310
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
Midwest
View Elgin, IL →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →