Elgin IL vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.2 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 6.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.7% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.8% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $65,745 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 14.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $400,636 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 58.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
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 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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