Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Kent, WA
🏆 Elgin leads 17 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Kent
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High
Population
135,169 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $236k less ($242,500 vs $478,400)
Rent averages $552/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,742)
46% less violent crime than Kent
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.0%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Kent, WA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 84°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Violent Crime
46% lower
266.7 vs 489.7 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$236k less
$242,500 vs $478,400
Elgin
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.6% unemployment
Elgin
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 78.3°F
Kent
Median Income
$968
$86,966 vs $85,998/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $478,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,742⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $86,966 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 27.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Kent School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 78.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 135,169 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 55.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 24.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Kent's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 17 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 17 and Kent wins 6. 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 Kent or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $478,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $86,966), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Kent, WA are about 1,690 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.