Arlington Heights, IL vs Rock Island, IL

The cost of living difference between Arlington Heights, IL and Rock Island, IL is dramatic. Rock Island is 84.5% cheaper than Arlington Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington Heights has a cost index of 121 while Rock Island sits at 66, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,727/month compared to $819/month in Rock Island — a 111% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rock Island is more affordable at $118,400 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $57,292 in Rock Island (+106.9%). While Arlington Heights 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 17.2% in Rock Island.