Elgin IL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 5.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.7% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 20.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Rockford
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $53,328 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $30,409 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.6% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 21.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 23.2% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 53.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Rockford
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Rockford
1842
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 44.7% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.4% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 49.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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