Elgin, IL vs San Marcos, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
San Marcos
70.5
#1100 nationally
Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $47,394). Elgin leads in crime level (7.3 vs 9.8). San Marcos leads in average commute (23.7 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | San Marcos, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 70.5 (#1100) |
| Population | 113,310 | 71,569 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $310,480 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $47,394 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 23.7 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 9.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+5.6 |
C-
72.8 Score
Elgin, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$343,260
Population
113,310
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
Midwest
View Elgin, IL →
C-
70.5 Score
San Marcos, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$310,480
Population
71,569
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Southwest
View San Marcos, TX →