Elgin IL vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Paterson
N/A
White
Elgin
45.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $527,542 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 28.6% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Paterson 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%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA