Elgin IL
Illinois · Pop. 114,934
Elgin, IL: median household income of $90,282, median rent of $1,361/mo, 6.1% unemployment. Our verdict: Solid Choice.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$90,282
per year
Median Rent
$1,361
per month
Median Home
$273k
home value
Unemployment
6.1%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
9.8%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
28 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Elgin, IL Reality Check"
In Elgin, the rent-to-income burden runs around 18% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $90,282 and median rent is $1,361/month. 47% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $273,000 — that's 3× the median income. 72% of households own their home — unusually high for a major US city. Residents put down roots here. Employment picture: 6.13% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 9.8%. Average commute: 28 minutes — acceptable. Elgin was founded in 1835 — that's 191 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 37.7 sq miles at 3,048 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 745 ft — modest elevation. RoastMyCity overall score: 70/100 — Solid Choice.