Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 114,106 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.3 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 72.3% | 45.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 5.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $36,037 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 26.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 35.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.2% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 37.8 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 30.4 min | Colorado Springs + |
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, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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