Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Hampton, VA
🏆 Hampton leads 14 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Hampton
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,430
Violent Crime Index
65 ✓ Safer
Population
137,217 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $21,568 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (6.0%)
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Hampton
Hampton, VA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (247.6 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 30°F
Homes cost $23k less ($219,800 vs $242,500)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $21,568/yr
Property crime (2882.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$21,568
$85,998 vs $64,430/yr
Elgin
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
6.0% vs 6.5% unemployment
Hampton
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Hampton
Violent Crime
7% lower
247.6 vs 266.7 per 100k
Hampton
Median Home Value
$23k less
$219,800 vs $242,500
Hampton
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hampton, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $219,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,255 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $64,430 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 94 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 65 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 137⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 27.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Hampton City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 47.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 137,217 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 55.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 21.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Hampton's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Hampton is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hampton leads 14 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 9 and Hampton wins 14. 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 Hampton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $219,800 median home), income ($85,998 vs $64,430), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Hampton, VA are about 727 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.