Dayton, OH 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.
Dayton
76
#394 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 104). Dayton leads in average commute (21.8 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 137,644 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 43 |
| Crime Level | High | 7.3 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | D+42.0 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →
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 →