Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
McKinney, TX
🏆 McKinney leads 16 of 22 categories
Elgin
Illinois
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
McKinney
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,286 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
31 ✓ Safer
Population
196,160 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $158k less ($242,500 vs $400,400)
Rent averages $550/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,740)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails McKinney by $27,288/yr
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.7%)
McKinney, TX
Pros
56% less violent crime than Elgin
Households earn $27,288 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (117.3 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 52.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 30°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $400,400
Higher rents — median is $1,740/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Elgin
Median Home Value
$158k less
$242,500 vs $400,400
McKinney
Median Income
$27,288
$113,286 vs $85,998/yr
McKinney
Violent Crime
56% lower
117.3 vs 266.7 per 100k
McKinney
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.0% unemployment
McKinney
Summer Heat
10.1°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | McKinney, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 ✓ Lower | $400,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,740⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $113,286 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 28.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 31 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A+ (130) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 14.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 52.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | MCKINNEY ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 56.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 42.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 2.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 196,160 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 64.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 10.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs McKinney's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, McKinney leads 16 of 22 categories. Elgin wins 6 and McKinney wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elgin to McKinney or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $400,400 median home), income ($85,998 vs $113,286), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and McKinney, TX are about 761 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.