Arlington vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Arlington
Elgin
💡 The Verdict
Elgin is 9% cheaper than Arlington overall. A $75,000 salary in Arlington is equivalent to $67,969 in Elgin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Arlington (left) vs Elgin (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Arlington versus Elgin. Differences shown from Arlington perspective.
| Item | Arlington | Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,000/mo | $740/mo | +$260.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,300/mo | $1,020/mo | +$280.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,650/mo | $1,390/mo | +$260.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.68 | $2.43 | +$0.25 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.87 | $3.50 | +$0.37 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.91 | $2.50 | +$0.41 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.14 | $5.71 | +$0.43 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.46 | $2.92 | +$0.54 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12.56 | $12.78 | $-0.22 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $67,969 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $82,759 in Arlington.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3676 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Arlington (96) vs Elgin (87)
Arlington at 96 is 4% below the US average, while Elgin at 87 is 13% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Arlington, the composite index of 96 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 86, followed by groceries (96), utilities (99), transportation (106), and healthcare (100). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/mo in Arlington and $1,020/mo in Elgin, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,360.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $16,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $39,000.0 difference in median home prices between Arlington and Elgin translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Arlington vs Elgin
Choosing between Arlington and Elgin involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Arlington against Elgin, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.