Elgin IL vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Reno
16.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 5.2% | 3.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 24.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $78,448 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,696 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $570,934 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 49.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 460 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2417 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.9% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 53.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
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, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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