Elgin IL vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 60,412 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 1.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 4.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Great Falls
28.3%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,934 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,968 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,117 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 14.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 28.3% | Great Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $337,690 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 68.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 433 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1984 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Great Falls
35.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.6% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
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 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA