City Comparison
Elgin vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
17% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Elgin | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $178 | -4% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,451 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Elgin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elgin runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elgin comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Elgin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Elgin.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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