Elgin IL vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 71,542 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.9 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 4.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.4% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $55,578 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $31,499 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 22.7% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 61.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.4% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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