Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Hoover, AL
🏆 Hoover leads 15 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Hoover
Alabama
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,765 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
21 ✓ Safer
Population
91,995
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $124k less ($242,500 vs $366,200)
Rent averages $162/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,352)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Median income trails Hoover by $15,767/yr
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Hoover
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.9%)
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Hoover, AL
Pros
71% less violent crime than Elgin
More college-educated — 60.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (78.0 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $15,767 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $366,200
Higher rents — median is $1,352/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Home Value
$124k less
$242,500 vs $366,200
Hoover
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.6 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Hoover
Median Income
$15,767
$101,765 vs $85,998/yr
Hoover
Violent Crime
71% lower
78.0 vs 266.7 per 100k
Hoover
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.9% vs 6.0% unemployment
Hoover
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.2°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hoover, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $366,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,352⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $101,765 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 25.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 12.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 21 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 60 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A (122) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 60.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 96.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Hoover City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 54.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 92.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 59.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 1.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 91,995 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 69.5% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 24.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Hoover's 92.6 (US average = 100).
Hoover is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hoover leads 15 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 8 and Hoover wins 15. 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 Hoover or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $366,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $101,765), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Hoover, AL are about 604 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.