Elgin IL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.7% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 44.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $66,772 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $64,538 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 20.1% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $429,449 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 41.2% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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