Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Fall River, MA
🏆 Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Fall River
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,734
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
93,638
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $33,264 more per year on average
64% less violent crime than Fall River
Homes cost $86k less ($242,500 vs $328,100)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (6.0%)
More college-educated — 26.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Fall River, MA
Pros
Rent averages $170/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,190)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 30°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $33,264/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $328,100
Violent crime (742.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$33,264
$85,998 vs $52,734/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
64% lower
266.7 vs 742.9 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$86k less
$242,500 vs $328,100
Elgin
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
6.0% vs 8.4% unemployment
Fall River
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fall River, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $328,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $52,734 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 144⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 66 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 15.8% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 75.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Fall River |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 39.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 49.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 38.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 93,638 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 35.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Fall River's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Fall River is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 16 and Fall River wins 7. 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 Elgin to Fall River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $328,100 median home), income ($85,998 vs $52,734), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Fall River, MA are about 885 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.