Elgin IL vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 57,088 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $87,277 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 11.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $1,274,801 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 57.2% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, 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%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
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 Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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