Elgin IL vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 5.2% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 13.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $62,995 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 15.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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