Elgin, IL vs Quincy, IL

The cost of living difference between Elgin, IL and Quincy, IL is dramatic. Quincy is 34.3% cheaper than Elgin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elgin has a cost index of 95 while Quincy sits at 71, 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 $824/month in Quincy — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Quincy is more affordable at $146,100 median vs $252,400.

Median household income in Elgin is $88,316 compared to $56,372 in Quincy (+56.7%). 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, less than the 17.5% in Quincy.

Climate-wise, Quincy is notably warmer with an average of 53°F compared to 49.7°F in Elgin. Quincy receives more rainfall at 36.4" per year compared to 33.2" in Elgin.