Arlington Heights, IL vs Batavia, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Batavia is 17.4% cheaper than Arlington Heights. With a cost index of 103 vs 121, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Batavia to Arlington Heights should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $1,255/month in Batavia — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Batavia is more affordable at $358,000 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $119,167 in Batavia (-0.5%). Batavia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington Heights spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Batavia.