Median rent is 30% lower in Elgin ($1,361/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Elgin, where the median home runs $273,000 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Elgin ($90,282 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Elgin is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 114.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Elgin, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Elgin is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Elgin vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Elgin, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Elgin, IL?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$83,974
You'd need $8,974 more (12% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Elgin
Illinois
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Elgin — median rent of $1,361/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 30% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $273,000 in Elgin — 70% more expensive.
Metric
Elgin
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Elgin.
Pick Elgin if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Elgin if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,282/yr).
Pick Elgin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,361/mo median).
Elgin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Elgin.
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Elgin, IL and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Elgin, IL has the lower rent by about 30%.
Median household income is $90,282 in Elgin, IL and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Elgin, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Elgin, IL is equivalent to roughly $111,966 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
