Elgin IL vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 26,509 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.7 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 7.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.2% | 3.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 3.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $344,633 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.4% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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