Elgin IL vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 7.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 5.2% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $60,583 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 54.2% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.3% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 62.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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