City Comparison
Elgin vs Skokie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Skokie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elgin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Skokie.
| Metric | Elgin | Skokie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,750 | -6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,685 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Skokie 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 $62,000 in Skokie.
| Metric | Elgin | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $85,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 51.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 18.10°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 33.50 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 28.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elgin is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Skokie.
From a growth perspective, Elgin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Skokie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 67,824 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.5 |
| 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.
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
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
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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