Elmhurst, IL vs Jacksonville, IL

The cost of living difference between Elmhurst, IL and Jacksonville, IL is dramatic. Jacksonville is 108.6% cheaper than Elmhurst, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elmhurst has a cost index of 136 while Jacksonville sits at 65, 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 Elmhurst is $1,877/month compared to $703/month in Jacksonville — a 167% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jacksonville is more affordable at $128,300 median vs $532,800.

Median household income in Elmhurst is $145,374 compared to $62,615 in Jacksonville (+132.2%). 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 Elmhurst spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.5% in Jacksonville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 54°F). Jacksonville receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 37.9" in Elmhurst.