Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
San Angelo, TX
🏆 San Angelo leads 12 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70
Population
114,190 ✓ Larger
San Angelo
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,040
Violent Crime Index
57 ✓ Safer
Population
99,422
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $20,958 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 97°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than San Angelo
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 3.2%)
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
San Angelo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $71k less ($171,700 vs $242,500)
18% less violent crime than Elgin
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (218.2 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 61°F vs 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $20,958/yr
Property crime (2486.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$20,958
$85,998 vs $65,040/yr
San Angelo
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
San Angelo
Violent Crime
18% lower
218.2 vs 266.7 per 100k
San Angelo
Median Home Value
$71k less
$171,700 vs $242,500
San Angelo
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.0% unemployment
San Angelo
Summer Heat
13.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Angelo, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $171,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,037 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $65,040 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 82 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 57 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 118⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 86.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | SAN ANGELO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 61.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 22.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 1.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 ✓ Larger | 99,422 |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 64.0% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs San Angelo's 90.9 (US average = 100).
San Angelo is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Angelo leads 12 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 11 and San Angelo wins 12. 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 San Angelo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $171,700 median home), income ($85,998 vs $65,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and San Angelo, TX are about 991 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.