Elgin, IA vs Patterson, IA

Elgin is moderately more affordable than Patterson, with a 6.8% lower cost of living index. Elgin scores 58 compared to 62 for Patterson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Patterson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elgin is $634/month compared to $700/month in Patterson — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elgin is more affordable at $87,300 median vs $106,600.

Median household income in Elgin is $60,114 compared to $71,786 in Patterson (-16.3%). While Patterson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elgin spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.7% in Patterson.