Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Elgin
36.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 114,106 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 36.7% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.2% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $333,920 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.8% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 37.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.4 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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