Elgin 55 Below average
Elgin Livability #294 ranked city in South Carolina#23,147 ranked city in the USARanks better than 20% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Elgin

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Elgin?

Located in the state of South Carolina, Elgin is a small city with a population of 2,865 people. Individuals of White (54%) and Black or African American (40%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Elgin offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Elgin, South Carolina could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Elgin and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the South Carolina and national averages.

With a livability score of 52/100, Elgin is ranked #24,498 in the United States and #336 in South Carolina. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Elgin has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Elgin does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Elgin excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Elgin. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Elgin are affordable. The median home price for Elgin homes is $119,200, which is 17% lower than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Elgin, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Elgin

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Elgin?

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Compare Elgin, SC Livability

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      Elgin transportation information

      Statistic Elgin South Carolina National
      Average one way commute30min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.5%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.5%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home0.0%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Elgin, SC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).