Elgin IL vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Orem
10.5%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 86,973 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.9% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 30.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $70,053 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,579 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $60,713 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 25.6% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $509,396 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 60.9% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1931 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 52.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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