Batavia, IL vs Des Plaines, IL

Batavia, IL and Des Plaines, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Batavia scores 103 while Des Plaines scores 105 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 Batavia is $1,255/month compared to $1,435/month in Des Plaines — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Batavia has cheaper rent, Des Plaines actually has lower median home values ($318,200 vs $358,000).

Median household income in Batavia is $119,167 compared to $94,303 in Des Plaines (+26.4%). Batavia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Batavia spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Des Plaines.