Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Elgin, IL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Elgin

Illinois
90

St. Louis is 27% cheaper than Elgin.

$978/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,260/mo ↑ 29%
$55,279/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$88,316/yr ↑ 60%
$185,100 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$252,400 ↑ 36%
$1,013/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,502/mo ↑ 48%
293,109
Population
114,106

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Elgin, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $282/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $3,384/year.

Median household income is $33,037/year higher in Elgin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $252,400 in Elgin.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Elgin — common questions

Is St. Louis or Elgin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 90 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Elgin?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Elgin it's $1,260/month — a difference of $282/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Elgin?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $88,316 in Elgin. Median household income is $33,037/year higher in Elgin.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Elgin?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Elgin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Elgin

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Elgin vs. Provo Elgin vs. Odessa Elgin vs. Waterbury Elgin vs. Springfield Elgin vs. Carlsbad Elgin vs. Beaumont