2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Elgin, IL vs Lake Forest, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Elgin?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 5.1 years older than in Elgin.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Elgin?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 254.8% more expensive than Elgin housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Elgin?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 2.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Elgin.

Things to do in Elgin?
Elgin, Illinois is a delightful city located in the northwest suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area. Its many attractions make it an ideal place to live or visit. Visitors can explore local history and culture at the Elgin History Museum, shop downtown boutiques and galleries, and enjoy delicious cuisine in its many restaurants. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of nearby parks and nature trails, while sports fans can cheer on their favorite teams at sporting events held Downtown Elgin. With its diverse offerings and friendly atmosphere, Elgin is a great destination for all ages – come see for yourself!

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, California markets itself as the ultimate Southern California lifestyle with numerous parks, shopping centers, and miles of trails giving visitors plenty of options for an active lifestyle.

 Elgin, ILLake Forest, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,516329,725,481
 Median Income$79,757  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$264,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time28.39  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Elgin    9 Reviews

When I first moved to Elgin 2 years ago I did not like it. I lived in a mobile home park near the river and highway 90 in a senior community that over prices it's lot  More

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Hi, as a way of updating the post for Elgin and providing a rebuttal for some of the negative reviews, I've decided to post on this board. I've lived in Elgin since  More

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Over 15 years ago

I have lived in Elgin my whole life and it is very sad to read these comments about my town.... I'm a senior at South Elgin High School and I will be graduating this  More

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Reviews for Lake Forest    16 Reviews

I've lived in Lake Forest for over a decade, before that elsewhere in OC and also up in LA. Lake Forest isn't perfect but it's really improved over the past decade,  More

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As a retired senior who has lived in Lake Forest (formerly El Toro) since 1977 I think LF is a great place if you can afford it. When we moved here in June '77 homes  More

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I’ve lived here for 2 years. Ok, it’s more like a 4 but there are so many idiots downplaying what it’s like here and giving Lake Forest ones and twos. There are a lot of  More

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