Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 55.7% | 45.4% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 5.2% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 6.0% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $88,316 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $36,037 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.3% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 10.4% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 26.0% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 35.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.1% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.0% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 16.8% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.2% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 37.8 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 30.4 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, 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 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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