Decatur, GA 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.
Decatur
83.8
#11 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Decatur leads in crime level (3.6 vs 7.3). Decatur leads in median household income ($129,992 vs $85,998). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 147).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Decatur, GA | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 83.8 (#11) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 24,307 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $282,512 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $129,992 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 3.6 | 7.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 147 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+64.8 | D+42.0 |
B
83.8 Score
Decatur, GA
Small Georgia city with local appeal
Median Home
$282,512
Population
24,307
Crime
Low
Walk Score
60
Southeast
View Decatur, GA →
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 →