Elgin

A northwest suburb of Chicago was deemed the safest and most affordable city in the U.S., according to a new ranking by GoBankingRates. Elgin, which lies mostly within Kane County with a portion in Cook County, was awarded the top spot on the ranking.

Cities were ranked by crime metrics, cost of living, median household income and home values, among other data. The ranking noted Elgin’s low number of property and violent crimes compared to other cities. Additionally, the ranking cited Elgin’s median household income of $85,998, the average monthly mortgage cost of $1,840 and total monthly cost of living of $4,008.

Elgin, founded in 1835, has a population of about 114,800, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois. Known for its historic architecture and landmarks from the Victorian era, many homes in Elgin still have a one-of- a-kind charm.

National Watch Company executives formerly owned some of the most remarkable homes in Elgin and many Sears catalog homes arrived to the city between 1908 and 1940. Today, original cobblestone homes built by early settlers still stand within Elgin’s historic districts.

To view the full GoBankingRates’ ranking, visit their website. Learn more about Elgin here.