Arlington Heights, IL vs Glen Ellyn, IL

Arlington Heights, IL and Glen Ellyn, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Arlington Heights scores 121 while Glen Ellyn scores 119 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $1,326/month in Glen Ellyn — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Glen Ellyn has cheaper rent, Arlington Heights actually has lower median home values ($403,200 vs $522,600).

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $133,346 in Glen Ellyn (-11.1%). Glen Ellyn 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 11.9% in Glen Ellyn.