Elgin IL vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Norman
7.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 7.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.1% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 4.2% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 9.0% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $65,060 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 17.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 52.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Norman
35.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 60.2°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.9 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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