City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Elgin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Elgin

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

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Cheyenne costs 0.0% less than Elgin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cheyenne, you would need $75,000 in Elgin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Cheyenne
89
Elgin
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
104
Elgin
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
89
Elgin
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
107
Elgin
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
105
Elgin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Elgin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $75,000 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Elgin

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $279,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $494/month in Elgin. Cheyenne offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $356 in Elgin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/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 Transportation, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheyenne is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Elgin, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Elgin's is 89 with median homes at $279,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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