Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 63.2% | 45.4% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Elgin
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Elgin
71.5%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $333,920 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 71.5% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Elgin
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Elgin
1842
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 37.8 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 30.4 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. 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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