Elgin IL vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Eugene
3.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Eugene
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 6.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.8% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 11.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Eugene
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,836 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $478,489 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 47.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 52.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.1 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
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 355 in Eugene. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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