Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Paterson, NJ
🏆 Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Paterson
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $33,906 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Paterson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (6.0%)
Homes cost $72k less ($242,500 vs $314,100)
Rent averages $202/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,392)
More college-educated — 26.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Paterson, NJ
Pros
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $33,906/yr
Violent crime (978.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $314,100
Higher rents — median is $1,392/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$33,906
$85,998 vs $52,092/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
73% lower
266.7 vs 978.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$72k less
$242,500 vs $314,100
Elgin
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
6.0% vs 10.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $314,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,392⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $52,092 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 3.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 258⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 76.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Paterson Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 49.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 157,864 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 26.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Paterson's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 16 and Paterson wins 7. 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 Paterson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $314,100 median home), income ($85,998 vs $52,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Paterson, NJ are about 736 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.