Elgin, IL vs Watertown, SD
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
Watertown
74.5
#590 nationally
Watertown leads in average commute (13.6 min vs 28.3 min). Elgin leads in median household income ($85,998 vs $61,320). Elgin leads in walk score (43 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Watertown, SD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 74.5 (#590) |
| Population | 113,310 | 23,230 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $316,022 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $61,320 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 13.6 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 8.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+40.8 |
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
74.5 Score
Watertown, SD
Small South Dakota city with local appeal
Median Home
$316,022
Population
23,230
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Watertown, SD →