Elgin IL vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 1.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 14.5% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 0.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 2.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $43,238 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $26,868 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $46,995 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 9.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 26.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 48.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 46.0% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.4% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 64.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 54.1 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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