Decatur, IL vs Elgin, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Elgin, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 34.1% cheaper than Elgin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Elgin sits at 95, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $796/month compared to $1,260/month in Elgin — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $252,400.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $88,316 in Elgin (-42.5%). 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 Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Elgin.