Elgin, IL vs Hawthorne, NJ
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
Hawthorne
73.4
#739 nationally
Hawthorne leads in crime level (0.7 vs 7.3). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 140). Hawthorne leads in walk score (54 vs 43).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Hawthorne, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 73.4 (#739) |
| Population | 113,310 | 19,496 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $651,326 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $105,168 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 0.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+2.9 |
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
73.4 Score
Hawthorne, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$651,326
Population
19,496
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Hawthorne, NJ →