Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Greeley, CO
🏆 Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Greeley
Colorado
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,525
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High
Population
107,949
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
60% less violent crime than Greeley
Homes cost $104k less ($242,500 vs $346,400)
Households earn $20,473 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Greeley
Greeley, CO
Pros
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 30°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $346,400
Violent crime (670.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Elgin by $20,473/yr
Property crime (3019.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$20,473
$85,998 vs $65,525/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
60% lower
266.7 vs 670.7 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$104k less
$242,500 vs $346,400
Greeley
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 96.0 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Greeley
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greeley, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 96.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $346,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,208 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $65,525 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 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 | 177⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 144⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 26.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 83.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | GreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 44.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 14.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 34.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 107,949 |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 60.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Greeley's 96.0 (US average = 100).
Greeley is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 14 and Greeley 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 Elgin to Greeley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $346,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $65,525), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Greeley, CO are about 861 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.