Elgin vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Fayetteville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in Fayetteville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $79,167 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $332,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Elgin and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $90,300 in Elgin and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $65,667 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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