Elgin IL vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 11,627 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 45.4% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 5.2% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 34.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $472,888 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.3% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 22.4% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.4% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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