Elgin IL vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
New York
35.9%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.0 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 45.4% | 35.9% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 28.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $79,713 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.7% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $816,078 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 32.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 55.4°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.6 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 44.2 min | Elgin + |
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, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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