Elgin IL vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 13.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 5.2% | 3.1% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 17.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $78,156 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 11.1% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $510,577 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 49.9% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.2% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 52.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.6 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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