Elgin IL vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 5.2% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 15.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $72,708 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 57.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.0% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 51.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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