Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.3 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 54.7% | 45.4% | Concord + |
| Black | 22.1% | 5.2% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 6.0% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $36,037 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.3% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 10.4% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 26.0% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.8% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.1% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.8% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.1% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Concord +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 30.4 min | Concord + |
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 398 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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