Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Miami Gardens, FL
🏆 Elgin leads 17 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Miami Gardens
Florida
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$56,071
Violent Crime Index
109⚠ High
Population
111,618
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $29,927 more per year on average
36% less violent crime than Miami Gardens
Rent averages $393/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,583)
Homes cost $57k less ($242,500 vs $299,700)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.0%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Miami Gardens, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $29,927/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,583/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (7.9% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$29,927
$85,998 vs $56,071/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
36% lower
266.7 vs 414.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$57k less
$242,500 vs $299,700
Elgin
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.9% unemployment
Miami Gardens
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Miami Gardens, 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 | $299,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,583⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $56,071 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 109⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (84) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 17.7% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 82.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | MIAMI-DADE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 75.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 68.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 111,618 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 64.7% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Miami Gardens's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 17 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 17 and Miami Gardens 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 Miami Gardens or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $299,700 median home), income ($85,998 vs $56,071), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Miami Gardens, FL are about 1,203 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.