Cedar Falls, IA 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.
Cedar Falls
79.7
#107 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Cedar Falls leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 28.3 min). Cedar Falls leads in crime level (4.3 vs 7.3). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $71,011).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cedar Falls, IA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#107) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 40,737 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,320 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $71,011 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 15.3 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 4.3 | 7.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | D+42.0 |
C+
79.7 Score
Cedar Falls, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$271,320
Population
40,737
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Cedar Falls, IA →
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 →
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