Median rent is 10% lower in Elgin ($1,361/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Elgin, where the median home runs $273,000 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Elgin ($90,282 vs $79,507 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
Elgin, IL
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Elgin, IL?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$75,003
You'd need $3 more (0% higher).
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
Elgin
Illinois
Fort Worth
Texas
👥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 $1,509/mo in Fort Worth (10% gap). Median home values are within 10% of each other: $273,000 in Elgin and $303,000 in Fort Worth.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Elgin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Elgin if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,282/yr).
Is Elgin cheaper than Fort Worth?
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 Elgin vs Fort Worth?
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Elgin, IL and $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Elgin, IL has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Elgin or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $90,282 in Elgin, IL and $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX. 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 — Elgin or Fort Worth?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Elgin income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Elgin, IL is equivalent to roughly $100,004 in Fort Worth, TX (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
