Elgin IL vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 8.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $64,731 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $52,606 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 60.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 43.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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