Elgin IL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Westland
9.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 84,155 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.2 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 9.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.8% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 5.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $62,216 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,816 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 13.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 21.7% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 61.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.3% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.6% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | 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
Elgin +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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