El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 114,106 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 39.3% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 48.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.3% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 26.0% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $333,920 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Elgin
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Elgin
37.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 37.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 30.4 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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