Elgin vs Springfield: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Elgin, IL and Springfield, IL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,190 | 114,214 |
| Median household income | $85,998 | $62,419 |
| Median home value | $242,500 | $147,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,190 | $913 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Elgin, IL and Springfield, IL comes down to what you value most. Springfield has the lower median home value, and Springfield has the lower median rent.
Elgin has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Elgin or Springfield?
- By median home value, Springfield is the cheaper of the two ($147,700 vs $242,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Elgin or Springfield?
- Median household income is $85,998 in Elgin versus $62,419 in Springfield, per the US Census Bureau.