Arlington Heights, IL vs Elgin, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Elgin is 28% cheaper than Arlington Heights. With a cost index of 95 vs 121, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Elgin to Arlington Heights should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $1,260/month in Elgin — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elgin is more affordable at $252,400 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $88,316 in Elgin (+34.2%). While Arlington Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington Heights spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Elgin.