Elgin IL vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Fargo
8.3%
Fargo +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 5.2% | 8.3% | Fargo + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 3.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $66,029 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 44.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2037 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 21.5% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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