Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 81.8% | 45.4% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $36,037 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 26.0% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 35.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.8% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.2% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 37.8 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.4 min | Boulder + |
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, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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