Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
43% less violent crime than South Fulton
Rent averages $271/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,461)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (6.0%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Households earn $8,510 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.0%)
Median income trails Elgin by $8,510/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$8,510
$85,998 vs $77,488/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
43% lower
266.7 vs 470.5 per 100k
Elgin
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
6.0% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $77,488 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 54.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 69.2% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 14 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 14 and South Fulton 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $242,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and South Fulton, GA are about 615 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.