Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
26.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,106 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 45.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 48.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $88,316 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,037 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
71.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 71.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.1% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.8% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.1% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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