Bellwood, IL vs Elmhurst, IL

The cost of living difference between Bellwood, IL and Elmhurst, IL is dramatic. Bellwood is 33.4% cheaper than Elmhurst, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellwood has a cost index of 91 while Elmhurst sits at 136, 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 Bellwood is $1,221/month compared to $1,877/month in Elmhurst — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellwood is more affordable at $219,600 median vs $532,800.

Median household income in Bellwood is $76,990 compared to $145,374 in Elmhurst (-47%). While Elmhurst is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellwood spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Elmhurst.