Albany, CA vs Elgin, IL
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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 207). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 43). Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 7.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 19,097 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 7.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+42.0 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
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 →