Elgin IL vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 267 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 39.4 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 8.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 5.2% | 0.0% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 0.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 15.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $74,643 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $21,360 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 1.8% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $352,129 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, 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%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
New Braunfels
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
New Braunfels
15.2%
New Braunfels +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 67.4°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
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 New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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