Elgin IL vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 6.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 31.6% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $55,339 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.8% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 22.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 50.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 66.6 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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