2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Elgin, IL vs Des Plaines, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Plaines or is it cheaper to live in Elgin?
- Des Plaines is 10.8% more expensive than Elgin.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Plaines or Elgin?
- Des Plaines housing costs are 26.2% more expensive than Elgin housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elgin or is Health Care more affordable in Des Plaines.
- Health related expenses are 5.1% less in Des Plaines.
 Elgin, ILDes Plaines, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries96.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing80.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$267,600$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.9100
 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 Des Plaines    4 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

low  More

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Over 16 years ago

The historic center of des plaines is also downtown. Fairly easy commute to Chicago. The metra is right there. Also there is the Des Plaines public library with a great  More

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Over 18 years ago

Changing of the seasons is good. But it's too cold for too  More

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