South Elgin, IL vs Wheaton, IL

South Elgin is moderately more affordable than Wheaton, with a 12.6% lower cost of living index. South Elgin scores 109 compared to 125 for Wheaton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wheaton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in South Elgin is $1,619/month compared to $1,731/month in Wheaton — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Elgin is more affordable at $296,100 median vs $447,700.

Median household income in South Elgin is $123,744 compared to $119,566 in Wheaton (+3.5%). 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 South Elgin spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Wheaton.

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