Elgin IL vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 3.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 5.2% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.4% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 8.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $47,532 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $27,407 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.5% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 24.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 21.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 52.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.3% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.7% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 50.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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