Arlington Heights, IL vs Plainfield, IL

Arlington Heights, IL and Plainfield, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Arlington Heights scores 121 while Plainfield 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 $1,889/month in Plainfield — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arlington Heights has cheaper rent, Plainfield actually has lower median home values ($398,000 vs $403,200).

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $142,265 in Plainfield (-16.7%). While Plainfield 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 15.9% in Plainfield.