Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 114,106 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 79.7% | 45.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $36,037 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 26.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $333,920 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 16.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 37.8 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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