Elgin IL vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 45.4% | 35.5% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 44.1% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $62,894 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 42.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, 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%
Elgin +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.0% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.9% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.1% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 24.0% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.6% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.7 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Houston 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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