Elgin IL vs Sparks 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Elgin
45.4%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,696 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $530,668 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, 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%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 52.4°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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