City Comparison

Elgin vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elgin

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

10.4%

Living in Elgin costs 10.4% less than Overland Park. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Elgin, you would need $83,684 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Elgin
109
Overland Park
Groceries
104
Elgin
96
Overland Park
Utilities
89
Elgin
98
Overland Park
Transportation
107
Elgin
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
105
Elgin
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $83,684 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $67,217 in Elgin.

Living in Elgin vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Elgin's housing index of 89 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $414,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $456/month in Overland Park. Overland Park 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 102 in Overland Park. 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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elgin is 10.4% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,684 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Elgin's housing index is 89 with median homes at $279,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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