Buffalo Grove, IL vs Fairview Heights, IL

The cost of living difference between Buffalo Grove, IL and Fairview Heights, IL is dramatic. Fairview Heights is 57.4% 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 Fairview Heights sits at 83, 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 $1,177/month in Fairview Heights — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairview Heights is more affordable at $166,800 median vs $392,900.

Median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820 compared to $77,960 in Fairview Heights (+66.5%). While Buffalo Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo Grove spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Fairview Heights.