2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Elgin, IL vs Boston, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boston or is it cheaper to live in Elgin?
- Boston is 58.1% more expensive than Elgin.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boston or Elgin?
- Boston housing costs are 184.5% more expensive than Elgin housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elgin or is Health Care more affordable in Boston.
- Health related expenses are 3.2% less in Boston.
 Elgin, ILBoston, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock150.8100
 Food & Groceries96.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.7100
 Housing80.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$656,500$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock131.8100
 Miscellaneous138.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Elgin    9 Reviews

When I first moved to Elgin 2 years ago I did not like it. I lived in a mobile home park near the river and highway 90 in a senior community that over prices it's lot  More

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Hi, as a way of updating the post for Elgin and providing a rebuttal for some of the negative reviews, I've decided to post on this board. I've lived in Elgin since  More

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Over 15 years ago

I have lived in Elgin my whole life and it is very sad to read these comments about my town.... I'm a senior at South Elgin High School and I will be graduating this  More

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Reviews for Boston    122 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

health care in the country, plenty of jobs, gorgeous architecture, cool neighborhoods, lots of great restaurants, and always something to do. The beautiful coast, the  More

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I've lived in/near Boston my whole life almost. It has many pros such as a big city feel, extremely safe, reliable train transportation, great food. However any pro  More

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I moved to MA from the country of Georgia in eastern Europe. Then traveled quite a bit in the U.S. Boston definitely has its own flavor. Suburbs offer okay schools,  More

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