Boston, MA 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 43). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 155). Elgin leads in average commute (28.3 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 684,379 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 7.3 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+42.0 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
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 →