Elgin IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 23.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 5.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 24.9% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $67,544 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,825 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $435,532 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 42.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.1 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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