Elgin, IL vs Vacaville, 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
Vacaville
66.1
#1590 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 151). Vacaville leads in median household income ($106,764 vs $85,998). Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vacaville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 66.1 (#1590) |
| Population | 113,310 | 102,526 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $607,747 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $106,764 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 28.9 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 151 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+23.0 |
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
66.1 Score
Vacaville, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$607,747
Population
102,526
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Vacaville, CA →