Elgin IL vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 100,731 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.0 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 20.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 24.5% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $56,025 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $30,475 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.6% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $439,767 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 40.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.3% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 21.4% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 51.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 51.9 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
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, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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