Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Jersey City, NJ
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Jersey City
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High
Population
287,899 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $258k less ($242,500 vs $500,100)
Rent averages $609/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,799)
53% less violent crime than Jersey City
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
Cons
Median income trails Jersey City by $5,153/yr
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
More college-educated — 51.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 30°F
Households earn $5,153 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $500,100
Higher rents — median is $1,799/mo
Violent crime (561.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Violent Crime
53% lower
266.7 vs 561.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$258k less
$242,500 vs $500,100
Jersey City
Median Income
$5,153
$91,151 vs $85,998/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $500,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,799⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $91,151 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 37.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 18.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 148⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Jersey City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 287,899 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 29.2% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Jersey City's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Jersey City wins 11. 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 Jersey City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $500,100 median home), income ($85,998 vs $91,151), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Jersey City, NJ are about 744 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.