Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 114,106 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 57.6% | 45.4% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.3% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 26.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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