Albany GA vs Elgin IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Albany
18.9%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 18.9% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 76.3% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $333,920 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Elgin
16.8%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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