Elgin IL vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.0 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 8.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.4% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 22.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $85,789 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $575,076 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 58.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 51.4°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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