Elgin IL vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 8.8% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $69,991 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.6% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 51.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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