Elgin IL vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 5.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 5.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.3% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 8.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,900 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 16.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 46.8% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, 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%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.7% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA