Albuquerque NM vs Elgin IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 114,106 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 55.3% | 45.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,037 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 26.0% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Elgin
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.4 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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