Elgin, IL vs Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 138). Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 43). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $72,458).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 113,310 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 138 |
| 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
63.6 Score
Santa Ana, CA
Heart of Orange County
Median Home
$869,263
Population
310,227
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C
Pacific
View Santa Ana, CA →