Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 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
Vancouver
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $161k less ($242,500 vs $403,400)
54% less violent crime than Vancouver
Rent averages $335/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,525)
Households earn $12,372 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Vancouver
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 30°F
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $403,400
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,525/mo
Median income trails Elgin by $12,372/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Income
$12,372
$85,998 vs $73,626/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
54% lower
266.7 vs 582.3 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$161k less
$242,500 vs $403,400
Elgin
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.1°F vs 80.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $403,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,525⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $73,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 47.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 4.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elgin leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 12 and Vancouver 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 Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $403,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Vancouver, WA are about 1,713 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.