Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 114,106 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 49.4% | 45.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 5.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,037 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 26.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $333,920 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 18.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 30.4 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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