Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 114,106 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 74.3% | 45.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 6.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $36,037 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 26.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $333,920 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 16.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 30.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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