Elgin IL vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 5.2% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $65,526 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,953 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 54.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.4% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.9% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.0% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 49.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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