Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Elgin, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Elgin, IL

😐 Solo nomad: Seattle, WA is 79.8% more expensive than Elgin, IL without rent, and 54.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Seattle, WA is 69.4% more expensive than Elgin, IL without rent, and 63.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.11 $25.11
$15.15 $15.15
65.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$59.5 $59.5
99.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.84 $13.84
$10.04 $10.04
37.85%
Cappuccino
$5.8 $5.8
$4.04 $4.04
43.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.63 $2.63
12.17%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$1.97 $1.97
27.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.81 $7.81
$6.12 $6.12
27.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$4.89 $4.89
60.33%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$0.74 $0.74
81.08%
White Bread (500g)
$4.98 $4.98
$3.69 $3.69
34.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$5.37 $5.37
-0.37%
Eggs
$6.91 $6.91
$3.95 $3.95
74.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$24.8 $24.8
$11.06 $11.06
124.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.74 $15.74
$13.21 $13.21
19.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.84 $20.84
$10.81 $10.81
92.78%
Apples (1kg)
$6.05 $6.05
$2.24 $2.24
170.09%
Banana (1kg)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.08 $1.08
154.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$1.63 $1.63
235.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$2.71 $2.71
138.01%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.66 $2.66
16.92%
Onion (1kg)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.92 $2.92
26.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.78 $2.78
$1.96 $1.96
41.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.06 $2.06
22.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.64 $11.64
$10.12 $10.12
15.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.15 $17.15
$11.78 $11.78
45.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.29 $2.29
28.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$4.75 $4.75
-11.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.8 $2.8
$2.03 $2.03
37.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$101 $101
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 $2.68
$4.37 $4.37
-38.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 $1.65
$2.22 $2.22
-25.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.13 $30.13
$27.82 $27.82
8.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$0.83 $0.83
39.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$24.6K $24.6K
35.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.5K $25.5K
3.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$98.6 $98.6
174.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$51.7 $51.7
19.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.2 $75.2
$50.1 $50.1
50.18%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$78.4 $78.4
$42.98 $42.98
82.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.04 $41.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.89 $15.89
$15.13 $15.13
5.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,248 $2,248
$1,654 $1,654
35.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29K $29K
$24.5K $24.5K
18.41%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.5 $69.5
$40.7 $40.7
70.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 $52.5
$47.51 $47.51
10.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$120 $120
$101 $101
18.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$131 $131
8.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,376 $2,376
$1,594 $1,594
49.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,829 $1,829
$1,372 $1,372
33.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,702 $4,702
$2,657 $2,657
76.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,474 $3,474
$2,267 $2,267
53.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,928 $6,928
$2,725 $2,725
154.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,224 $5,224
$2,428 $2,428
115.18%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Elgin, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,473 $6,473
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.55
-1.98%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Elgin, IL: October 29, 2025

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