Long Grove, IL vs South Elgin, IL

The cost of living difference between Long Grove, IL and South Elgin, IL is dramatic. South Elgin is 86.1% cheaper than Long Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Long Grove has a cost index of 203 while South Elgin sits at 109, 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 Long Grove is $3,501/month compared to $1,619/month in South Elgin — a 116% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Elgin is more affordable at $296,100 median vs $746,700.

Median household income in Long Grove is $235,368 compared to $123,744 in South Elgin (+90.2%). While Long Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Long Grove spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in South Elgin.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.7°F). South Elgin receives more rainfall at 33.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Long Grove.