Elgin IL vs Killeen 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%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Killeen
11.0%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 45,598 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 44.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.0% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.9% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 10.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Killeen
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, 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 +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Killeen
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Killeen
14.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 45.7% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.3% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.0% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 66.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Killeen
30.4 min
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.4 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen 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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