Berwyn, IL vs Elgin, IL

Berwyn, IL and Elgin, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Berwyn scores 95 while Elgin scores 95 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Berwyn is $1,175/month compared to $1,260/month in Elgin — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Berwyn has cheaper rent, Elgin actually has lower median home values ($252,400 vs $286,000).

Median household income in Berwyn is $75,235 compared to $88,316 in Elgin (-14.8%). Elgin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Berwyn spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Elgin.