Elgin IL vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 22.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.4% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Naperville
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $618,452 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Naperville
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Naperville
1842
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | 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
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 33.8 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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