Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Macon-Bibb County, GA
🏆 Macon-Bibb County 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
Macon-Bibb County
Georgia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,897
Violent Crime Index
394⚠ High
Population
156,554 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $37,101 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Macon-Bibb County
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Macon-Bibb County
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Macon-Bibb County, GA
Pros
Homes cost $87k less ($155,200 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $223/mo less ($967 vs $1,190)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $37,101/yr
Violent crime (1497.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3808.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$37,101
$85,998 vs $48,897/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
82% lower
266.7 vs 1497.8 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.5% unemployment
Macon-Bibb County
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Macon-Bibb County
Median Home Value
$87k less
$155,200 vs $242,500
Macon-Bibb County
Summer Heat
9.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Macon-Bibb County, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $155,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $967 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $48,897 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 309⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 394⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 25.9% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 86.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Bibb County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 156,554 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 52.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 24.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Macon-Bibb County's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Macon-Bibb County is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Macon-Bibb County leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 11 and Macon-Bibb County 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 Macon-Bibb County or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $155,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $48,897), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Macon-Bibb County, GA are about 686 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.