Chattanooga, TN 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.
Chattanooga
69
#1258 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $52,891). Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 32). Chattanooga leads in average commute (21.8 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69 (#1258) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 184,119 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $322,295 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $52,891 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 32 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 7.3 |
| School Rating | 5.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.1 | D+42.0 |
D+
69 Score
Chattanooga, TN
Scenic City with gigabit fiber
Median Home
$322,295
Population
184,119
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southeast
View Chattanooga, TN →
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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