Arlington Heights, IL vs Park Ridge, IL

Arlington Heights, IL and Park Ridge, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Arlington Heights scores 121 while Park Ridge scores 126 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 $1,511/month in Park Ridge — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Park Ridge has cheaper rent, Arlington Heights actually has lower median home values ($403,200 vs $539,300).

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $138,059 in Park Ridge (-14.1%). While Park Ridge 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 13.1% in Park Ridge.