Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Elgin
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Rochester
New York
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $41,842 more per year on average
54% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (6.0%)
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Rochester
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($111,400 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $195/mo less ($995 vs $1,190)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $41,842/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 6.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$41,842
$85,998 vs $44,156/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
54% lower
266.7 vs 582.3 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
6.0% vs 8.5% unemployment
Rochester
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$131k less
$111,400 vs $242,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 29.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 83.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 33.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 35.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 210,992 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 21.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Elgin wins 11 and Rochester 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $111,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Rochester, NY are about 550 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.