Elgin IL vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 112,612 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 10.1% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.6% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.9% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $55,176 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $30,804 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 22.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 55.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.7% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 58.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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