Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Elgin, IL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Elgin

Illinois
90

Fort Lauderdale is 47% more expensive than Elgin.

$1,776/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,260/mo ↓ 29%
$79,935/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$88,316/yr ↑ 10%
$455,600 ↑ 81%
Home Value
$252,400 ↓ 45%
$1,778/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,502/mo ↓ 16%
183,032
Population
114,106

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Elgin, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $516/month cheaper in Elgin, saving renters about $6,192/year.

Median household income is $8,381/year higher in Elgin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $252,400 in Elgin.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Elgin — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Elgin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elgin is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Elgin?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Elgin it's $1,260/month — a difference of $516/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Elgin?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $88,316 in Elgin. Median household income is $8,381/year higher in Elgin.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Illinois?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Elgin?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Elgin has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,260/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Elgin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and Elgin

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