Elgin IL vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 47,823 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.8 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.8% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $50,294 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $28,418 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 24.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 19.6% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $362,476 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 66.4% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 55.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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