Burlington vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Elgin
The Verdict
Elgin is 24.2% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $60,381 in Elgin to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $60,381 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $93,158 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $279,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington 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 115 in Burlington and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington and 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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