Elgin IL vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
McKinney
21.0%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 21.0% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 37.8% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 44.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
McKinney
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $71,843 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $29,291 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 12.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 18.5% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
McKinney
63.2%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $487,346 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 63.2% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, 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%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.3% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 64.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 40.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 35.6 min | Elgin + |
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 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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