Elgin vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Irving
The Verdict
Living in Elgin costs 5.0% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Elgin, you would need $78,947 in Irving.
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 $78,947 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $71,250 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Irving
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $318,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $444 in Irving. 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 105 in Elgin and 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $73,400 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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