Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Elgin, IL
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $110k less ($132,100 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $248/mo less ($942 vs $1,190)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $39,814/yr
Violent crime (706.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3809.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 6.0%)
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $39,814 more per year on average
62% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.0%)
Cons
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Buffalo
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$110k less
$132,100 vs $242,500
Elgin
Median Income
$39,814
$85,998 vs $46,184/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
62% lower
266.7 vs 706.2 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.0% unemployment
Elgin
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $242,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,190 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $85,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 52 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 26.7% |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% ✓ Higher | 81.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | SD U-46 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F ✓ Warmer | 30.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 39.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 32.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 114,190 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 71.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 26.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Elgin's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 11 and Elgin wins 12. 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 Buffalo to Elgin or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $242,500 median home), income ($46,184 vs $85,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Elgin, IL are about 486 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.