Atkins, IA vs Elgin, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Elgin is 27.2% cheaper than Atkins. With a cost index of 58 vs 74, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Elgin to Atkins should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atkins is $585/month compared to $634/month in Elgin — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atkins has cheaper rent, Elgin actually has lower median home values ($87,300 vs $302,600).

Median household income in Atkins is $115,625 compared to $60,114 in Elgin (+92.3%). While Atkins is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Atkins spend roughly 6.1% of their income on rent, less than the 12.7% in Elgin.