City Comparison
Elgin vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elgin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
15% lower than Orland Park's.
| Metric | Elgin | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,950 | -15% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $185 | -8% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,925 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Elgin | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Elgin comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elgin has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Orland Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elgin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elgin is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Elgin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Elgin and Orland Park.
Open Cost Calculator