Median rent is 7% lower in Elgin ($1,361/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Elgin, where the median home runs $273,000 versus $304,700. Households earn more in Elgin ($90,282 vs $75,171 a year). Taken together, Elgin is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Elgin, IL.
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Elgin, IL
How much would you need to earn in Elgin, IL to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Elgin, IL
$74,997
You could earn $3 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
Elgin
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Elgin at $1,361/mo compared to $1,470/mo in Arlington (7% gap). Median home values are within 10% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $273,000 in Elgin.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Elgin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Arlington (avg AQI 55.0) but not yet for Elgin.
Pick Elgin if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,282/yr).
Is Arlington cheaper than Elgin?
Elgin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Elgin.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Elgin?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,361/mo in Elgin, IL. Elgin, IL has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Elgin?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $90,282 in Elgin, IL. Elgin, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Elgin?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Elgin to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,996 in Elgin, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
