Boone, NC 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.
Boone
71.1
#1016 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $28,242). Boone leads in crime level (2.5 vs 7.3). Boone leads in average commute (13.8 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boone, NC | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.1 (#1016) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 19,811 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $491,253 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $28,242 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 13.8 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 7.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+6.0 | D+42.0 |
C-
71.1 Score
Boone, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$491,253
Population
19,811
Crime
Low
Walk Score
49
Southeast
View Boone, NC →
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 →