Elgin IL vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.8% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 47.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $51,339 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $27,054 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.2% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 25.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 49.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.8% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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