Elgin, IL vs Elmhurst, IL

The cost of living difference between Elgin, IL and Elmhurst, IL is dramatic. Elgin is 30.6% cheaper than Elmhurst, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elgin has a cost index of 95 while Elmhurst sits at 136, 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 Elgin is $1,260/month compared to $1,877/month in Elmhurst — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elgin is more affordable at $252,400 median vs $532,800.

Median household income in Elgin is $88,316 compared to $145,374 in Elmhurst (-39.2%). While Elmhurst 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 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Elmhurst.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 51.3°F). Elmhurst receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 33.2" in Elgin.