Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 114,106 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.3 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 41.9% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.2% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $36,037 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.3% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 26.0% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $333,920 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 30.4 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas 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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