Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 75.9% | 45.4% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 5.2% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $36,037 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.3% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 26.0% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $333,920 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.1% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.8% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 37.8 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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