Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Rochester leads 12 of 21 categories
Elgin
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Rochester
Minnesota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $26k less ($242,500 vs $268,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 30°F vs 23°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.7%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Rochester
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Rochester, MN
Pros
42% less violent crime than Elgin
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 49.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$2,025
$85,998 vs $83,973/yr
Elgin
Median Home Value
$26k less
$242,500 vs $268,800
Elgin
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 80.3°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Violent Crime
42% lower
154.0 vs 266.7 per 100k
Rochester
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $268,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,218 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $83,973 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 10.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 65 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 49.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 52.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 120,848 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 65.5% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Rochester leads 12 of 21 categories. Elgin wins 9 and Rochester wins 12. 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $268,800 median home), income ($85,998 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Rochester, MN are about 250 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.