Arlington Heights, IL vs St. Charles, IL

Arlington Heights, IL and St. Charles, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Arlington Heights scores 121 while St. Charles scores 120 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 $1,788/month in St. Charles — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arlington Heights has cheaper rent, St. Charles actually has lower median home values ($369,700 vs $403,200).

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $115,350 in St. Charles (+2.8%). 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, less than the 18.6% in St. Charles.