Arlington Heights, IL vs Urbana, IL

The cost of living difference between Arlington Heights, IL and Urbana, IL is dramatic. Urbana is 59.9% 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 Urbana sits at 76, 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 $951/month in Urbana — a 82% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Urbana is more affordable at $186,300 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $45,854 in Urbana (+158.5%). 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 24.9% in Urbana.