Elgin IL vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 23.0% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 26.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 44.8% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $45,300 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $27,319 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 10.6% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 25.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 18.3% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 25.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.4% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.8% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 20.3% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 50.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.9 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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