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

Hialeah

Florida
109
VS

Elgin

Illinois
90

Hialeah is 21% more expensive than Elgin.

$1,558/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,260/mo ↓ 19%
$53,079/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$88,316/yr ↑ 66%
$359,200 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$252,400 ↓ 30%
$1,448/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,502/mo ↑ 4%
221,901
Population
114,106

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

35.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Hialeah, FL and Elgin, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 109 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $298/month cheaper in Elgin, saving renters about $3,576/year.

Median household income is $35,237/year higher in Elgin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Hialeah is $359,200 compared to $252,400 in Elgin.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Hialeah vs Elgin — common questions

Is Hialeah or Elgin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elgin is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Hialeah and Elgin?
Median rent in Hialeah is $1,558/month and in Elgin it's $1,260/month — a difference of $298/month.
Which city has higher income, Hialeah or Elgin?
Median household income is $53,079 in Hialeah and $88,316 in Elgin. Median household income is $35,237/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 Hialeah or Elgin?
It depends on your priorities. Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with median rent of $1,558/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 Hialeah details → View Elgin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Hialeah and Elgin

Hialeah vs. Baton Rouge Hialeah vs. San Bernardino Hialeah vs. Richmond Hialeah vs. Tacoma Hialeah vs. Fremont Hialeah vs. Port St. Lucie Elgin vs. Provo Elgin vs. Odessa Elgin vs. Waterbury Elgin vs. Springfield Elgin vs. Carlsbad Elgin vs. Beaumont