Elgin, IL vs San Jose, 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
San Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 198). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $85,998). San Jose leads in walk score (51 vs 43).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 113,310 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+40.0 |
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 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →