Concord vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Elgin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Elgin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $74,219 in Elgin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $74,219 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $75,789 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 89 is equal to 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: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $494/month in Elgin. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $356 in Elgin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord 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 $86,900 in Concord and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 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 $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/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 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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