Elgin IL vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.6 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 6.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 5.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.4% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 5.1% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $55,279 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis 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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