Arlington Heights, IL vs Crystal Lake, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Crystal Lake is 18% 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 Crystal Lake 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 $1,431/month in Crystal Lake — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crystal Lake is more affordable at $287,400 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $105,428 in Crystal Lake (+12.4%). The higher salaries in Arlington Heights partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington Heights spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Crystal Lake.