South Elgin, IL Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In South Elgin, IL Summary

Cost of living in South Elgin research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means South Elgin is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Illinois, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in South Elgin is 114, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in South Elgin is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • South Elgin ranks as the #246 cheapest in Illinois out of 336.

  • South Elgin ranks as the #4,023 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in South Elgin is $359,402.

  • The median income in South Elgin is $123,744.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
114
South Elgin's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in South Elgin, IL?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, South Elgin has an overall cost of living index of 114, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Illinois, South Elgin has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Illinois's index of 97.

The standard of living in South Elgin ranks as #246 most affordable out of the 336 places we measured in Illinois. By definition, that implies South Elgin ranks as the #90 most expensive place in the Prairie State.

For more reading on life in South Elgin, check out:

246 out of 336
In Illinois
4,023 out of 6,489
In America

South Elgin Cost Of Living Vs. Illinois

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South Elgin. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in South Elgin is 108.

  • The Groceries index in South Elgin is 98.

  • The Health index in South Elgin is 99.

  • The Housing index in South Elgin is 137.

  • The Transportation index in South Elgin is 113.

  • The Utilities index in South Elgin is 82.

Living Expense South Elgin Illinois National Average
Overall 114 97 100
Services 108 95 100
Groceries 98 99 100
Health 99 93 100
Housing 137 95 100
Transportation 113 102 100
Utilities 82 91 100
For more reading on cost of living around Illinois, check out:
South Elgin Cost of Living Vs. IL

South Elgin, IL Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Illinois, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in South Elgin is $359,402.

  • The Median Rent in South Elgin is $1,619.

  • The Median Income in South Elgin is $123,744.

  • The Home Value To Income in South Elgin is 2.9x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in South Elgin is 0.16x.

Statistic South Elgin Illinois United States
Median Home Value $359,402 $283,508 $303,400
Median Rent $1,619 $1,227 $1,348
Median Income $123,744 $81,702 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.9x 3.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.16x 0.18x 0.21x
$359,402
Median Home Value
$1,619
Median Rent
$123,744
Median Income

South Elgin, IL Costs By Category

Detailed South Elgin Services Costs Vs. Illinois

Item South Elgin Illinois
Shampoo $1.32 $1.28
Movie $9.99 $12.13
Bowling $16.0 $18
Haircut $19.72 $24.26
Beauty Salon $37.22 $45.56

Detailed South Elgin Groceries Costs Vs. Illinois

Item South Elgin Illinois
Ground Beef $5.94 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $5.08 $4.93
Pizza $10.69 $12.09
Beer $9.61 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.72 $3.7

Detailed South Elgin Health Costs Vs. Illinois

Item South Elgin Illinois
Optometrist $86.67 $125.68
Doctor $110.0 $135.78
Dentist $82.0 $113.29

Detailed South Elgin Transportation Costs Vs. Illinois

Item South Elgin Illinois
Gasoline $3.52 $3.46
Tire Balancing $45.0 $59.92

Detailed South Elgin Utilities Costs Vs. Illinois

Item South Elgin Illinois
All Electricity $156.87 $193.99
Phone $198.03 $192.25

South Elgin SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8.5/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
8
Diversity
8.5
Safety
N/A
Amenities
9
Education
8
Commute
5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around South Elgin

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around South Elgin. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Naperville, IL has a cost of living index of 133, 1.2x South Elgin.

  • Elgin, IL has a cost of living index of 107, 0.9x South Elgin.

  • Arlington Heights, IL has a cost of living index of 124, 1.1x South Elgin.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. South Elgin
Naperville, IL 149,424 133 1.2x
Elgin, IL 114,106 107 0.9x
Arlington Heights, IL 76,220 124 1.1x
Mount Prospect, IL 55,648 122 1.1x
Wheaton, IL 53,453 128 1.1x
Hoffman Estates, IL 51,186 118 1.0x
Elmhurst, IL 45,538 139 1.2x
Bartlett, IL 40,531 122 1.1x
Streamwood, IL 39,055 111 1.0x
St. Charles, IL 32,733 120 1.1x

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