Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Miami, FL
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Miami
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,858
Violent Crime Index
125⚠ High
Population
443,665 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $191k less ($242,500 vs $433,900)
Households earn $31,140 more per year on average
44% less violent crime than Miami
Rent averages $304/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,494)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 5.0%)
Miami, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 74°F vs 30°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $433,900
Median income trails Elgin by $31,140/yr
Violent crime (473.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,494/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$31,140
$85,998 vs $54,858/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
44% lower
266.7 vs 473.3 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$191k less
$242,500 vs $433,900
Miami
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.0% unemployment
Miami
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 87.8°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $433,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,494⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $54,858 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 28.2 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 11.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 34.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 78.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | MIAMI-DADE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 73.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 87.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 57.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 443,665 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 30.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 16.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Miami's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Miami 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 Miami or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $433,900 median home), income ($85,998 vs $54,858), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Miami, FL are about 1,215 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.