Elgin IL vs San Marcos 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 99,507 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 5.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.3% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.4% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 42.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $64,146 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $33,835 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 11.9% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 24.9% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 63.3% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, 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%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 68.5°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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