What are the schools like in Elgin, IL?

Elgin is served primarily by SD U-46. The district operates 38 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 7 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1.

What is the median household income in Elgin?

The median household income in Elgin, IL is $85,998 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.0%.

What is the weather like in Elgin, IL?

Elgin has an average high temperature of 30.1°F in January and 84.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 32.1 inches.

Elgin, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Elgin, IL affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elgin is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $242,500 and the median rent is $1,190 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Elgin, IL?

Elgin has a violent crime rate of 266.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1102.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Elgin, IL a Good Place to Live?

Elgin is a mid-sized city of 114,190 in Illinois, with a median household income of $85,998 and a 6.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Elgin stands out for below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elgin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Elgin city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Elgin's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elgin costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Elgin, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$242,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,190	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	71.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$85,998	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Elgin's violent crime rate is 266.7 per 100,000 residents — 30% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

266.7 /100k

Property Crime

1102.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Elgin is served primarily by SD U-46. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elgin, IL	National Avg
School District	SD U-46	—
Elementary Schools	38	—
Middle Schools	8	—
High Schools	7	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	26.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	81.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elgin sees average highs of 30.1°F in January and 84.1°F in July, with 39.9 inches of annual precipitation and 32.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elgin, IL
Average High — January	30.1°F
Average High — July	84.1°F
Annual Precipitation	39.9"
Annual Snowfall	32.1"

Demographics

Metric	Elgin, IL	National Avg
Population	114,190	—
Median Age	35.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	28.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	50.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	5.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	33.3%	18.9%
Asian	6.2%	6.3%
Under 18	26.2%	22.2%
65 and over	12.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

South Elgin, IL 3 mi Sleepy Hollow, IL 4 mi West Dundee, IL 5 mi Gilberts, IL 5 mi East Dundee, IL 6 mi

ZIP Codes in Elgin

Elgin, IL is covered by 3 ZIP codes:

60123 60124 60120

Elgin vs Other Cities

Elgin, IL vs South Elgin, IL Elgin, IL vs Sleepy Hollow, IL Elgin, IL vs West Dundee, IL Elgin, IL vs Gilberts, IL Elgin, IL vs East Dundee, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elgin, IL affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Elgin roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $242,500 and median rent is $1,190/month.

What is the crime rate in Elgin, IL?

Elgin's violent crime rate is 266.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1102.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Elgin?

Public schools in Elgin are operated by SD U-46. The district has 38 elementary, 8 middle, and 7 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. 26.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elgin, IL a good place to live?

Elgin, IL has a population of 114,190, a median household income of $85,998, and an unemployment rate of 6.0%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Elgin?

Elgin averages 30.1°F in January and 84.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.9 inches with about 32.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Elgin?

Elgin, IL is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 60123, 60124, 60120.

What is the population of Elgin?

The population of Elgin, Illinois is 114,190 with a median age of 35.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Elgin?

Key numbers for living in Elgin: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $242,500, median household income $85,998, crime index 63 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elgin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.