Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 114,106 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.3 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 39.1% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Elgin
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $36,037 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 26.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $333,920 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Elgin
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Elgin
1842
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 35.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 37.8 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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