Elgin IL vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 112,546 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 5.2% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 12.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $52,170 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $29,894 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.1% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 53.9% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.9% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 48.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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