Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Richardson, TX
🏆 Richardson leads 15 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,998
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190
Richardson
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,362 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
118,063 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Homes cost $137k less ($242,500 vs $379,800)
Rent averages $535/mo less ($1,190 vs $1,725)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 5.0%)
Median income trails Richardson by $8,364/yr
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Richardson, TX
Pros
45% less violent crime than Elgin
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $379,800
Higher rents — median is $1,725/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
$137k less
$242,500 vs $379,800
Richardson
Median Income
$8,364
$94,362 vs $85,998/yr
Richardson
Violent Crime
45% lower
146.7 vs 266.7 per 100k
Richardson
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.0% unemployment
Richardson
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Richardson, 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 | $379,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 ✓ Lower | $1,725⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $94,362 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 23.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 87 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A+ (133) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 92.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | RICHARDSON ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 40.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 1.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 118,063 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Richardson's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Elgin is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Richardson leads 15 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 8 and Richardson wins 15. 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 Richardson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $379,800 median home), income ($85,998 vs $94,362), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Richardson, TX are about 776 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.