Buffalo Grove, IL vs Chatham, IL

The cost of living difference between Buffalo Grove, IL and Chatham, IL is dramatic. Chatham is 51.5% cheaper than Buffalo Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Buffalo Grove has a cost index of 130 while Chatham 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 Buffalo Grove is $2,042/month compared to $1,157/month in Chatham — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $392,900.

Median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820 compared to $106,030 in Chatham (+22.4%). Buffalo Grove does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo Grove spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.1% in Chatham.