Arlington Heights, IL vs Calumet City, IL

The cost of living difference between Arlington Heights, IL and Calumet City, IL is dramatic. Calumet City is 49.1% cheaper than Arlington Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington Heights has a cost index of 121 while Calumet City sits at 81, 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 Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $1,138/month in Calumet City — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calumet City is more affordable at $133,600 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $53,991 in Calumet City (+119.5%). While Arlington Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington Heights spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.3% in Calumet City.