Schaumburg, IL vs. Elgin, IL: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison: Schaumburg vs Elgin. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Schaumburg vs Elgin in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living differences. Here’s how Schaumburg and Elgin stack up for typical housing:
| Housing Type | Schaumburg | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,800 | $1,500 |
| 3BR Home Mortgage | $2,400 | $2,100 |
🏆 Winner: Elgin. Housing costs are about 15-20% lower in Elgin compared to Schaumburg.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills are fairly similar between the two cities. Expect to pay around $200-250/month for electricity, gas, water, and trash service for a 2BR apartment.
Both cities experience cold winters and hot summers, so heating and cooling usage doesn’t differ much. Elgin’s municipal utility does offer some off-peak discounts that can help lower bills.
🏆 Winner: Elgin, but only slightly. Schaumburg utility costs are comparable.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery prices are nearly identical in Schaumburg and Elgin. Expect to spend around $400/month on food for a single person, or $1,000/month for a family of four.
Restaurant prices are also very similar. A meal at a casual sit-down spot averages $15-20 per person in both cities.
🏆 Winner: Tie. Grocery and daily living costs are a toss-up between Schaumburg and Elgin.
4. Taxes and Fees
Schaumburg has slightly higher property taxes than Elgin – around 2.5% vs 2.3% of assessed value annually. However, Elgin charges a 1% local sales tax on top of state/county rates, while Schaumburg does not.
🏆 Winner: Schaumburg. The lack of a local sales tax gives Schaumburg a slight edge, despite marginally higher property taxes.
5. Cost Summary Table
| Category | Schaumburg | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR mortgage) | $2,400 | $2,100 |
| Utilities | $250 | $225 |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 |
| Transportation | $200 | $200 |
| Taxes/Fees | $600 | $550 |
| Misc | $400 | $400 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $4,250 | $3,875 |
All income figures expressed as gross monthly income (pre-tax).
6. Lifestyle Fit
Schaumburg offers more space and suburban quiet, while Elgin provides better walkability and public transit access to Chicago. Schaumburg is about 5°F cooler than Elgin in the summer.
Elgin has a slightly longer average commute (32 minutes vs 28 minutes for Schaumburg). However, Elgin’s lower housing costs may allow for a larger home and yard compared to Schaumburg.
7. FAQ
- Is Schaumburg more affordable than Elgin? No, Elgin has a lower overall cost of living, mainly due to cheaper housing.
- Which city has lower rent? Elgin rent prices are around 15% lower than Schaumburg.
- Where is it cheaper to buy a home? Elgin home prices and mortgages are more affordable than Schaumburg by about 10-15%.
8. Conclusion
Elgin comes out ahead of Schaumburg for overall affordability, primarily due to lower housing costs. However, Schaumburg can be a great fit for those prioritizing more space, cooler summers, and a shorter commute.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your family’s specific needs and lifestyle. Be sure to check out our other cost of living guides for Schaumburg and monthly sample budgets to dive deeper into the numbers!
💰 3 Surprising Cost Differences
- Childcare is about 10% cheaper in Elgin than Schaumburg
- Elgin’s vehicle taxes and registration fees are $50-100 lower annually
- Schaumburg home insurance premiums average 5% less than Elgin