Cape Coral 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)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 114,106 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 72.9% | 45.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $36,037 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 10.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
71.5%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 71.5% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, 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.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cape Coral + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
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, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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