Elgin IL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 6.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 5.2% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $61,454 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 67.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 61.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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