Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 114,106 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 39.9% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 46.9% | 5.2% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $36,037 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 26.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.8% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 30.4 min | Atlanta + |
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 Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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