Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $321k less ($242,500 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $711/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,901)
20% less violent crime than Quincy
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (6.0%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $4,670/yr
Quincy, MA
Pros
More college-educated — 46.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 30°F
Households earn $4,670 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Violent Crime
20% lower
266.7 vs 335.1 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$321k less
$242,500 vs $563,200
Elgin
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
6.0% vs 6.7% unemployment
Quincy
Median Income
$4,670
$90,668 vs $85,998/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 78 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 88 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 63 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 37.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 14 and Quincy wins 9. 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $563,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Quincy, MA are about 886 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.