Bellwood, IL vs Oak Park, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bellwood is 22.6% cheaper than Oak Park. With a cost index of 91 vs 117, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bellwood to Oak Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellwood is $1,221/month compared to $1,456/month in Oak Park — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellwood is more affordable at $219,600 median vs $456,300.

Median household income in Bellwood is $76,990 compared to $108,026 in Oak Park (-28.7%). While Oak Park 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 16.2% in Oak Park.