Elgin IL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 5.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 10.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $45,845 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $27,570 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 29.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 41.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.7% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 49.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.5 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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