Arlington Heights, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Arlington Heights, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 41.5% 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 Waukegan sits at 86, 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 $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $403,200.

Median household income in Arlington Heights is $118,532 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+67.9%). 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, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.