Elgin IL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 5.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 17.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $57,673 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,074 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 17.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $419,326 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 54.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 63.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 58.4 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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