Elgin, IL vs Moline, IL

The cost of living difference between Elgin, IL and Moline, IL is dramatic. Moline is 35.9% cheaper than Elgin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elgin has a cost index of 95 while Moline sits at 70, 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 $887/month in Moline — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Moline is more affordable at $141,900 median vs $252,400.

Median household income in Elgin is $88,316 compared to $63,959 in Moline (+38.1%). 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 Elgin spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Moline.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 51.2°F). Moline receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 33.2" in Elgin.