Elgin IL vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Utica
9.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 51,054 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 5.2% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 9.8% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $57,688 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,780 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 9.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 23.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 36.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.6% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.7% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Utica 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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