Berkeley, CA vs South 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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
South Elgin
75.4
#467 nationally
South Elgin leads in crime level (5.2 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 32). South Elgin leads in cost of living index (112 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | South Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 75.4 (#467) |
| Population | 118,962 | 24,277 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $379,258 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $118,293 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 28.6 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 5.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+9.4 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
C
75.4 Score
South Elgin, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$379,258
Population
24,277
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
32
Midwest
View South Elgin, IL →
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