Buffalo Grove, IL vs La Grange, IL

Buffalo Grove, IL and La Grange, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Buffalo Grove scores 130 while La Grange scores 135 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 Buffalo Grove is $2,042/month compared to $1,679/month in La Grange — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while La Grange has cheaper rent, Buffalo Grove actually has lower median home values ($392,900 vs $582,600).

Median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820 compared to $154,556 in La Grange (-16%). While La Grange 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 13% in La Grange.