Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
VS
Elgin, IL
🏆 Augusta-Richmond County leads 10 of 19 categories
Augusta-Richmond County
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,492
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
201,615 ✓ Larger
Elgin
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Pros
Homes cost $101k less ($141,900 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $167/mo less ($1,023 vs $1,190)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.0)
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $35,506/yr
Higher unemployment (8.3% vs 6.0%)
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $35,506 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (6.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Augusta-Richmond County
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Augusta-Richmond County
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Augusta-Richmond County
Median Home Value
$101k less
$141,900 vs $242,500
Augusta-Richmond County
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 84.1°F
Elgin
Median Income
$35,506
$85,998 vs $50,492/yr
Elgin
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
6.0% vs 8.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Augusta-Richmond County, GA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $141,900 ✓ Lower | $242,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,023 ✓ Lower | $1,190 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $50,492 | $85,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 63 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 70 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 52 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.8% | 26.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% ✓ Higher | 81.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Richmond County | SD U-46 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.6°F ✓ Warmer | 30.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 84.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" | 39.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 32.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 201,615 ✓ Larger | 114,190 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.0% | 71.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 26.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Augusta-Richmond County's cost of living index is 91.0 vs Elgin's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Augusta-Richmond County is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Augusta-Richmond County leads 10 of 19 categories. Augusta-Richmond County wins 10 and Elgin wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Augusta-Richmond County to Elgin or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($141,900 vs $242,500 median home), income ($50,492 vs $85,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Augusta-Richmond County, GA and Elgin, IL are about 689 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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