Elgin IL vs Greensboro NC — 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Greensboro
12.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Greensboro
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $58,884 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,858 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 50.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Greensboro
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.1% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 59.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 42.2 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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