Elgin IL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Salem
12.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 23.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $71,900 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 14.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $438,754 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.4% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 53.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.7 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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