Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 77.2% | 45.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 5.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $88,316 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $36,037 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 10.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 26.0% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 35.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.0% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.2% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.4 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA