Hampshire, IL vs South Elgin, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. South Elgin is 22% cheaper than Hampshire. With a cost index of 109 vs 133, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from South Elgin to Hampshire should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hampshire is $2,356/month compared to $1,619/month in South Elgin — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Elgin is more affordable at $296,100 median vs $316,200.

Median household income in Hampshire is $107,774 compared to $123,744 in South Elgin (-12.9%). South Elgin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hampshire spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in South Elgin.

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