Elgin IL vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 97,227 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 5.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $59,074 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 21.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $380,101 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 41.9% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 58.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.5 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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