Edinburg 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 36.3 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 39.9% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 1.9% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 48.4% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Edinburg +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 26.0% | Edinburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $333,920 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Edinburg, 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
Edinburg
42.5%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | 37.8 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Edinburg +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Edinburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.4 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Edinburg. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Edinburg 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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