Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Reno
Nevada
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $220k less ($242,500 vs $462,100)
50% less violent crime than Reno
Households earn $12,925 more per year on average
Rent averages $170/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,360)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Elgin by $12,925/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$12,925
$85,998 vs $73,073/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
50% lower
266.7 vs 529.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$220k less
$242,500 vs $462,100
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 102.6 on the COL index
Reno
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.0% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $73,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ 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) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 35.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 89.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 9.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Reno 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 Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $462,100 median home), income ($85,998 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Reno, NV are about 1,649 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.