Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 114,106 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 83.6% | 45.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,037 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 26.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 344 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1842 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 37.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.4 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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