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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Elgin, IL vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Chicago spends 58.8% more per capita than Elgin ($20,322/person difference). Chicago, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Elgin, IL
Pop. 114,190
C
58/100
Budget Balance20
Debt Burden76
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency96
Revenue Diversity34
Trend Direction50
City B
Chicago, IL
Pop. 2,721,914
C
61/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden61
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Elgin
Chicago
Total Spending
$1.6B
$94.0B
Spending / Capita
$14,229
$34,551
Total Revenue
$603.5M
$231.6B
Revenue / Capita
$5,285
$85,083
Total Debt
$70.4M
$2.7B
Debt / Capita
$617
$977
Population
114,190
2,721,914
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Elgin$222
Chicago$10,754
Highways & Roads
Elgin$116
Chicago$930
Parks & Recreation
Elgin$1,641
Chicago$122
Education
Elgin$53
Chicago$0
Health
Elgin$0
Chicago$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElginChicago
Property Tax
$0
$26
Sales Tax
$754
$74
Income Tax
$651
$229
Intergovernmental
$1,170
$85,083
Charges & Fees
$2,267
$2,847
Other
$1,754
$3,463

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElginChicago
Fire Protection
$222
$10,754
Highways & Roads
$116
$930
Education
$53
$0
Public Welfare
$718
$1,858
Health
$0
$426
Hospitals
$0
$1,444
Parks & Recreation
$1,641
$122
Housing
$4,472
$6,520
Sewerage
$0
$129
Utilities
$2,850
$2,983
Other
$4,159
$9,385
C
Elgin, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health
C
Chicago, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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