Elgin IL vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 11.9% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 5.2% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.5% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 19.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $58,407 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 18.6% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 52.0% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 60.8°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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