Cost of Living in South Elgin, IL

Population 23,984 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

South Elgin sits on the smaller end of the Illinois city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

South Elgin is part of the immediate Elgin metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Elgin's $252,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 97
Rent 123

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in South Elgin

The median home value in South Elgin is $296,100 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,619/month, 23% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $123,744/year is 66% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, South Elgin has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$296,100
3% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$359,789
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,619/mo
23% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.2x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 81.3%
Renter-occupied 18.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,619
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,233/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.4 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
13.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$123,744
66% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,413
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Labor Force Participation
71.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.9%
Graduate degree 13.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.2
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 41.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
61.8%
Good air days/yr
174
Max AQI recorded
90
PM2.5 days
198
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

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

South Elgin has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in South Elgin, IL?

The median gross rent in South Elgin is $1,619 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in South Elgin?

The median home value in South Elgin is $296,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in South Elgin?

The median household income in South Elgin is $123,744 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in South Elgin, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in South Elgin is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is South Elgin, IL affordable?

South Elgin is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

South Elgin at a Glance

Population
23,984
Median Income
$123,744
Home Value
$296,100
Median Rent
$1,619/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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