Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 53.0% | 45.4% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 6.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 26.0% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $333,920 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.8% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 48.7°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 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 $324,670. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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