Elgin, IL vs Zachary, LA
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
Zachary
73.7
#694 nationally
Elgin leads in crime level (7.3 vs 9.1). Zachary leads in median household income ($88,811 vs $85,998). Elgin leads in cost of living index (104 vs 107).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Zachary, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#824) | 73.7 (#694) |
| Population | 113,310 | 19,968 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $343,260 | $269,521 |
| Median Household Income | $85,998 | $88,811 |
| Average Commute | 28.3 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 9.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+11.1 |
Data coverage note: Zachary is missing data for 1 metric that Elgin has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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
73.7 Score
Zachary, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$269,521
Population
19,968
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$88,811
Southeast
View Zachary, LA →