Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Elgin
26.5%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Elgin
6.0%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 114,106 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 26.5% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 45.4% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 5.2% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 6.0% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Elgin
10.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $88,316 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $36,037 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.3% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 10.4% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 26.0% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Carrollton +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 35.8% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.1% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.0% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.8% | Carrollton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.1% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.2% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 30.4 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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