Elgin IL vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 45.4% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 5.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 19.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $76,205 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $484,226 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 44.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 47.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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