Elgin IL vs Garland TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Garland
45.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 45.4% | 37.5% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 45.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Garland
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $74,717 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $31,477 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.3% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 25.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Garland
61.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 61.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Garland
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 22.6% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 69.1°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 49.5 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 32.5 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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