Arlington Heights, IL vs Oswego, IL

Arlington Heights, IL and Oswego, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Arlington Heights scores 121 while Oswego scores 117 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 $1,823/month in Oswego — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arlington Heights has cheaper rent, Oswego actually has lower median home values ($319,000 vs $403,200).

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $119,881 in Oswego (-1.1%). Oswego 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, less than the 18.2% in Oswego.