Elgin IL vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 4.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $64,137 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 47.2% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 51.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.3 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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