Elgin IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Washington
13.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 13.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.1% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 11.6% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.5% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 14.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $580,173 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 41.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 24.0% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 32.8 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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