Ann Arbor, MI 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.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 28.3 min). Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 43). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $73,018).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 123,851 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Low | 7.3 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+42.0 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
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 →