Elgin, IL vs Forest Park, OH
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.
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Forest Park
75.4
#461 nationally
Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 26). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $63,690). Forest Park leads in cost of living index (91 vs 104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Forest Park, OH |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 75.4 (#461) |
| Population | 113,310 | 19,839 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $239,236 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $63,690 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 7.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+14.9 |
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 →
C
75.4 Score
Forest Park, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$239,236
Population
19,839
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
26
Midwest
View Forest Park, OH →
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