Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Norfolk
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,998
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
236,973 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
43% less violent crime than Norfolk
Households earn $25,000 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (6.0%)
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 32.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Smaller class sizes — 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $25,000/yr
Violent crime (469.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3772.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$25,000
$85,998 vs $60,998/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
43% lower
266.7 vs 469.5 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$12k less
$242,500 vs $254,200
Elgin
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 6.7% unemployment
Norfolk
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $254,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,188 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $60,998 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ 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) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 32.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 45.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 3.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Norfolk 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 Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $254,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Norfolk, VA are about 734 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.