Elgin IL vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 13.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $45,611 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $30,282 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 28.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 38.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 68.9°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 47.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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