Belleville, IL vs Elgin, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Belleville is 23.3% cheaper than Elgin. With a cost index of 73 vs 95, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Belleville to Elgin should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Belleville is $947/month compared to $1,260/month in Elgin — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belleville is more affordable at $131,000 median vs $252,400.

Median household income in Belleville is $60,529 compared to $88,316 in Elgin (-31.5%). While Elgin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belleville spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Elgin.