Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
High Point, NC
🏆 High Point leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
High Point
North Carolina
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
114,120
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $27,416 more per year on average
41% less violent crime than High Point
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than High Point
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $46k less ($196,500 vs $242,500)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $160/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,190)
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 30°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $27,416/yr
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$27,416
$85,998 vs $58,582/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
41% lower
266.7 vs 454.8 per 100k
High Point
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Median Home Value
$46k less
$196,500 vs $242,500
High Point
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | High Point, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $196,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,030 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $58,582 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 86.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 1.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 114,120 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 58.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs High Point's 92.7 (US average = 100).
High Point is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 11 and High Point wins 12. 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 High Point or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $196,500 median home), income ($85,998 vs $58,582), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and High Point, NC are about 612 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.