Elgin IL vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 12.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $66,981 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 15.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 57.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 70.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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