Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 114,106 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.3 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 25.6% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 26.0% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $333,920 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.8% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 30.4 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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