City Comparison

Elgin vs Frisco

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elgin

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

Frisco

Texas
115
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$126,048
Median Income

The Verdict

17.4%

Elgin is 17.4% less expensive than Frisco overall. A household earning $75,000 in Elgin would need approximately $90,789 in Frisco to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Elgin
142
Frisco
Groceries
104
Elgin
99
Frisco
Utilities
89
Elgin
99
Frisco
Transportation
107
Elgin
106
Frisco
Healthcare
105
Elgin
100
Frisco

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $90,789 in Frisco.

Conversely, $75,000 in Frisco equals $61,957 in Elgin.

Living in Elgin vs Frisco

Housing Costs

Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Frisco's 142, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $500,000. The $221,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,364 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,900/mo in Frisco, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 99 in Frisco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $470/month in Frisco. 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 89 in Elgin and 99 in Frisco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $396 in Frisco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 100 in Frisco. 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 $126,048 in Frisco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $109,607 respectively. Frisco residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $2,941/month in Frisco. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elgin is 17.4% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,789 in Frisco, based on the cost of living difference.
Elgin's housing index is 89 with median homes at $279,000, while Frisco's is 142 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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