Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Greensboro, NC
🏆 Greensboro leads 13 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Greensboro
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,051
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
297,202 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
71% less violent crime than Greensboro
Households earn $30,947 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Greensboro
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Greensboro, NC
Pros
Homes cost $45k less ($197,200 vs $242,500)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.5%)
Rent averages $142/mo less ($1,048 vs $1,190)
More college-educated — 39.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $30,947/yr
Violent crime (923.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3383.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$30,947
$85,998 vs $55,051/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
71% lower
266.7 vs 923.7 per 100k
Greensboro
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Greensboro
Median Home Value
$45k less
$197,200 vs $242,500
Greensboro
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.0% unemployment
Greensboro
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Greensboro, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $197,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,048 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $55,051 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 161⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 39.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 90.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 45.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 7.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 297,202 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 34.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 49.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Greensboro's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Greensboro is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Greensboro leads 13 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 10 and Greensboro wins 13. 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 Greensboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $197,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $55,051), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Greensboro, NC are about 613 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.