Elgin IL vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 45.4% | 24.8% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,874 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $28,490 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.9% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 15.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 14.2% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $531,592 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 25.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 28.1% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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