Elgin IL vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.5 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 19.3% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 5.2% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 25.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, 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%
Elgin +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.1% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 32.1% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 36.1 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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