Cost of Living: Alton, IL vs Elgin, IL

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,227/mo in Alton, IL versus $4,227/mo in Elgin, IL. In the model, rent is about 13.82% of gross in Alton, IL versus 18.36% in Elgin, IL, so Alton, IL tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Alton, IL
$4,227/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Elgin, IL
$4,227/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Alton, IL
13.82%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Elgin, IL
18.36%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Alton, IL and Elgin, IL.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Elgin, IL
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Alton, IL
  • Lower home prices: Alton, IL
  • Higher median household income: Elgin, IL

Cost of Living Index

Alton, IL: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Elgin, IL: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Alton, IL: $901/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Elgin, IL: $1,197/mo

Median rent in Elgin, IL is $296/mo higher than in Alton, IL.

Median Home Price

Alton, IL: $99,500 · Elgin, IL: $252,400

Median home price in Elgin, IL is $152,900 higher than in Alton, IL.

Median Household Income

Alton, IL: $53,005 · Elgin, IL: $88,316

Elgin, IL has a higher median household income than Alton, IL by $35,311.

Alton, IL overview · Elgin, IL overview · Popular comparisons