Charleston, SC 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.
Charleston
66
#1592 nationally
Elgin
72.8
#824 nationally
Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 28.3 min). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $76,819). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 115).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 72.8 (#824) |
| Population | 156,042 | 113,310 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $343,260 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $85,998 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 7.3 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | D+42.0 |
D
66 Score
Charleston, SC
Southern charm meets coastal living
Median Home
$596,437
Population
156,042
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southeast
View Charleston, SC →
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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