Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 114,106 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.3 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 27.4% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 60.0% | 5.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,037 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 26.0% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $333,920 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.8% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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