Arcola, IL vs Oak Brook, IL

The cost of living difference between Arcola, IL and Oak Brook, IL is dramatic. Arcola is 65% cheaper than Oak Brook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arcola has a cost index of 69 while Oak Brook sits at 196, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcola is $819/month compared to $2,921/month in Oak Brook — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arcola is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $867,900.

Median household income in Arcola is $85,697 compared to $171,123 in Oak Brook (-49.9%). The higher salaries in Oak Brook partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcola spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Oak Brook.