Elgin IL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 107,699 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 4.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 5.2% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $48,536 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $31,324 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 7.0% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 23.8% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 45.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.6% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.3% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.7% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 65.0°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 55.0 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Tuscaloosa 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%.
Compare More Cities
Elgin, IL vs New York, NYElgin, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elgin, ILElgin, IL vs Houston, TXElgin, IL vs Phoenix, AZElgin, IL vs Philadelphia, PA