City Comparison

Antioch vs Elgin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

Elgin

Illinois
95
Below Average
$279,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,300
Median Income

The Verdict

54.7%

Living in Elgin costs 54.7% less than Antioch. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Antioch, you would need $48,469 in Elgin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
193
Antioch
89
Elgin
Groceries
107
Antioch
104
Elgin
Utilities
156
Antioch
89
Elgin
Transportation
140
Antioch
107
Elgin
Healthcare
122
Antioch
105
Elgin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Antioch has the same purchasing power as $48,469 in Elgin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $116,053 in Antioch.

Living in Antioch vs Elgin

Housing Costs

Antioch's housing index of 193 is higher Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $610,000 vs $279,000. The $331,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,250/mo in Antioch compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Antioch and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Antioch vs $494/month in Elgin. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 156 in Antioch and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $624 in Antioch vs $356 in Elgin. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Antioch and 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,500 in Antioch and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,327 and $95,053 respectively. Elgin residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,275/month to housing in Antioch vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/mo fits within this budget. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 104 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elgin is 54.7% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,469 in Elgin, based on the cost of living difference.
Antioch's housing index is 193 with median homes at $610,000, while Elgin's is 89 with median homes at $279,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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