Elgin IL vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 4.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 9.5% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,074 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $534,732 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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