Elgin IL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Elgin +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 13.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.0% | Elgin + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 42.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $54,546 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $31,152 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.4% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 51.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 69.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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