Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 114,106 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 11.7% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $333,920 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.8% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 37.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.4 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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