Elgin, IL

Elgin IL scores 76/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 41% below the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 59 (100 = avg); violent crime index 66; property crime index 52. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Elgin. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Elgin is about $1,361/month (moderate). At $1,361/month for a typical unit, you need about $48,996+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $273,000.

Median household income is $90,282, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($90,282) clears the $48,996 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 56°F (highs near 65°F, lows near 48°F).

Cooler months cut into patio season; plan indoor hobbies for part of the year. Heating will show up on winter bills more than AC does in summer. If you visit, go in January. That is when the cold is honest.

Who tends to thrive in Elgin: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 76/100) (2) Renters who want $1,361/month housing without coastal prices (comfort income is about $48,996) (3) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $90,282 helps carry housing costs) (4) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 76/100)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Elgin does not clear every bar) (2) People who will not research ZIP-level crime maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $48,996 household income for $1,361/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Elgin holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 76/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $1,361/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.