Corpus Christi 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Elgin
36.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 114,106 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 54.7% | 45.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 48.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $333,920 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, 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
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 37.8 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.4 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corpus Christi 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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