Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 114,106 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 60.1% | 45.4% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 5.2% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 6.0% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $88,316 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $36,037 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.3% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 10.4% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 26.0% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 35.8% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.1% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 16.8% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.4 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA