Elgin IL vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 3.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.9% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 3.1% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $51,090 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $32,893 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 51.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.0% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 67.4°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 65.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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