Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Durham
44.0%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 114,106 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.3 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 44.0% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 34.4% | 5.2% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $36,037 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 26.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
36.8%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.8% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.4 min | Durham + |
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 Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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