Elgin, IL vs Forest Lake, MN
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 Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 7.3). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 114).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 113,310 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+8.9 |
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-
71.7 Score
Forest Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,441
Population
20,685
Crime
Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Forest Lake, MN →
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