Elgin IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 45.4% | 16.5% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 37.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $48,416 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $25,509 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 10.9% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 24.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $482,675 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 24.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 23.4% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 54.9°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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