Concord vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Elgin
The Verdict
Elgin is 5.3% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $71,250 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 Concord has the same purchasing power as $71,250 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $78,947 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 110 is higher Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $279,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord 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 110 in Concord and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord 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 113 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 $84,900 in Concord and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 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 $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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