Elgin, IL vs Meridian, ID
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
Meridian
69.5
#1197 nationally
Meridian leads in crime level (4.0 vs 7.3). Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 26). Meridian leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 28.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Meridian, ID |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 69.5 (#1197) |
| Population | 113,310 | 134,801 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $539,117 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $93,296 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+10.3 |
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 →
D+
69.5 Score
Meridian, ID
Mid-size Idaho city with community character
Median Home
$539,117
Population
134,801
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
26
West
View Meridian, ID →