Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 13 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Westminster
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80
Population
115,502 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $225k less ($242,500 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $542/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,732)
12% less violent crime than Westminster
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.1%)
Median income trails Westminster by $4,653/yr
Westminster, CO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
Households earn $4,653 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Violent Crime
12% lower
266.7 vs 303.6 per 100k
Elgin
Median Home Value
$225k less
$242,500 vs $467,200
Westminster
Median Income
$4,653
$90,651 vs $85,998/yr
Westminster
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.0% unemployment
Westminster
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 169⚠ 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 | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 115,502 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 63.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 13 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 10 and Westminster wins 13. 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $467,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Westminster, CO are about 884 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.