Amarillo 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 114,106 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.3 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 68.0% | 45.4% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 5.2% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.3% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $333,920 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Amarillo, 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
Amarillo
38.5%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.1% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 37.8 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.4 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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