Elgin IL vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.9 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 14.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 13.5% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $77,415 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 10.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $441,257 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 49.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 49.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 44.6 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
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, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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