City Comparison

Elgin vs Fort Worth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elgin

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

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Elgin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in Fort Worth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Elgin
87
Fort Worth
Groceries
104
Elgin
96
Fort Worth
Utilities
89
Elgin
99
Fort Worth
Transportation
107
Elgin
106
Fort Worth
Healthcare
105
Elgin
100
Fort Worth

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $75,000 in Elgin.

Living in Elgin vs Fort Worth

Housing Costs

Elgin's housing index of 89 is higher Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $270,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $456/month in Fort Worth. Fort Worth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Elgin and 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 100 in Fort Worth. 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 $90,300 in Elgin and $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $65,460 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 $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elgin is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Fort Worth, based on the cost of living difference.
Elgin's housing index is 89 with median homes at $279,000, while Fort Worth's is 87 with median homes at $270,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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