Elgin vs Hollywood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Hollywood
The Verdict
Living in Elgin costs 14.4% less than Hollywood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Elgin, you would need $87,632 in Hollywood.
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 $87,632 in Hollywood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $64,189 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Hollywood
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $424,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $494/month in Hollywood. 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 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 96 in Hollywood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $54,324 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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