| Index | Elgin | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 81 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 47 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 94 | 100 |

| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $80,038 | $6,670 | $1,867 | $2,401 |
| Renters | $59,203 | $4,934 | $1,381 | $1,776 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Randalia, IA | 64 | 76 | 24.5% |
| Farmersburg, IA | 380 | 79 | 20.9% |
| Wadena, IA | 228 | 80 | 20.0% |
| St. Olaf, IA | 134 | 80 | 19.8% |
| Volga, IA | 232 | 81 | 19.0% |
| Elgin, IA | 663 | 81 | 18.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| McIntyre, GA | 663 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Mountain Park city, GA | 663 | 110 | 9.9% |
| Deer Creek, IL | 663 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Palmyra, IL | 663 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Sicily Island, LA | 663 | 82 | 18.0% |
| Elgin, IA | 663 | 81 | 18.7% |