Elgin IL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 49.2 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.0% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 9.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $858,307 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 67.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 72.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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