Clearwater 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 114,106 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 70.3% | 45.4% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 5.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $36,037 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.3% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 26.0% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 30.4 min | Clearwater + |
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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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