Elgin IL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 13.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 23.1% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $77,643 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 16.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $468,328 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 41.6% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.6% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.3% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 71.3°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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