Elgin IL vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 45.9 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 45.4% | 32.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.3% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 0.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Hialeah
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $53,079 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $25,766 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 17.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 21.2% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $444,086 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 47.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 34.7% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 76.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 70.4 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.7 min | Elgin + |
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, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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