Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Fayetteville, NC
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
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
Fayetteville
North Carolina
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$53,424
Violent Crime Index
174⚠ High
Population
208,697 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $32,574 more per year on average
60% less violent crime than Fayetteville
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (6.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Fayetteville
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Fayetteville, NC
Pros
Homes cost $84k less ($158,500 vs $242,500)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 30°F
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $32,574/yr
Violent crime (660.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3094.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$32,574
$85,998 vs $53,424/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
60% lower
266.7 vs 660.2 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
6.0% vs 8.4% unemployment
Fayetteville
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Fayetteville
Median Home Value
$84k less
$158,500 vs $242,500
Fayetteville
Summer Heat
6.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.9°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Fayetteville, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $158,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,117 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $53,424 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Cumberland County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 54.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 90.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 47.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 1.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 208,697 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 30.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 45.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Fayetteville's 91.4 (US average = 100).
Fayetteville is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Fayetteville wins 11. 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 Fayetteville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $158,500 median home), income ($85,998 vs $53,424), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Fayetteville, NC are about 697 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.