Elgin IL vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 79,526 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 13.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.0% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 4.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $514,358 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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