Elgin IL vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 7.0% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 7.5% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $50,994 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,171 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,097 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 20.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $371,202 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 46.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 639 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2350 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.0% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 57.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 51.9 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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