Elgin IL vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Kent
14.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 84,389 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 14.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.3% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 31.8% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $72,867 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,662 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 13.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $657,911 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 62.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 53.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.1 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
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, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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