Berwyn, IL vs Melrose Park, IL

Berwyn, IL and Melrose Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Berwyn scores 95 while Melrose Park scores 94 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 Berwyn is $1,175/month compared to $1,194/month in Melrose Park — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Berwyn has cheaper rent, Melrose Park actually has lower median home values ($265,000 vs $286,000).

Median household income in Berwyn is $75,235 compared to $64,740 in Melrose Park (+16.2%). While Berwyn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Berwyn spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Melrose Park.