Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Pompano Beach, FL
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 20 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Pompano Beach
Florida
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,155
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
111,790
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $24,843 more per year on average
Rent averages $337/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,527)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (6.0%)
Homes cost $51k less ($242,500 vs $293,300)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Pompano Beach
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Pompano Beach, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 30.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $24,843/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,527/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (8.7% 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
$24,843
$85,998 vs $61,155/yr
Elgin
Median Home Value
$51k less
$242,500 vs $293,300
Elgin
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 8.7% unemployment
Pompano Beach
Summer Heat
6.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pompano Beach, 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 | $293,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,527⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $61,155 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 27.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 30.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 85.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 55.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 111,790 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 53.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Pompano Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 20 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Pompano Beach wins 8. 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 Pompano Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $293,300 median home), income ($85,998 vs $61,155), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Pompano Beach, FL are about 1,186 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.