Elgin IL vs Laredo 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Laredo
25.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 25.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 37.6% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 0.5% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 0.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $63,264 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $24,584 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 20.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 21.5% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Laredo
63.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 63.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, 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 +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.2% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 35.7% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 74.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo 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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