Elgin IL vs Sugar Land 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 109,735 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 42.5 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.6% | Elgin + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 12.3% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $449,058 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, 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%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 71.3°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.4 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.6 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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