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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or is it cheaper to live in Elgin?
- Cambridge is 51.7% more expensive than Elgin.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cambridge or Elgin?
- Cambridge housing costs are 299.8% more expensive than Elgin housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elgin or is Health Care more affordable in Cambridge.
- Health related expenses are 3.8% less in Cambridge.
 Elgin, ILCambridge, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries96.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.2100
 Housing80.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$914,400$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.7100
 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 Cambridge    14 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

Cambridge is a great place to live. It is rather expensive, but has great access to Boston, schools and hospitals. There is a lot of construction underway that can be  More

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Need info on test results on tap or drinking water quality, 02139 Green St area.  More

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Home to both Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is the cornerstone of higher education. Residents are very intelligent and open to new ideas.   More

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