Elgin IL vs Memphis 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 7.4% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 25.0% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.7% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 10.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $51,211 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $32,314 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,097 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 22.5% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 46.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, 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 +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.1% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.6% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.9% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 60.9°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 54.9 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Memphis 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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