2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Elgin, IL vs Carlsbad, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or is it cheaper to live in Elgin?
- Carlsbad is 62.4% more expensive than Elgin.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carlsbad or Elgin?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 387.1% more expensive than Elgin housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elgin or is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad.
- Health related expenses are 4.0% less in Carlsbad.
 Elgin, ILCarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries96.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing80.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,200$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.6100
 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 Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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