Arlington Heights, IL vs Elmhurst, IL

Arlington Heights is moderately more affordable than Elmhurst, with a 11.1% lower cost of living index. Arlington Heights scores 121 compared to 136 for Elmhurst, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elmhurst can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $1,877/month in Elmhurst — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington Heights is more affordable at $403,200 median vs $532,800.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $145,374 in Elmhurst (-18.5%). While Elmhurst 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, more than the 15.5% in Elmhurst.