Buffalo Grove, IL vs Shorewood, IL

Buffalo Grove, IL and Shorewood, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Buffalo Grove scores 130 while Shorewood scores 126 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 $2,087/month in Shorewood — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Buffalo Grove has cheaper rent, Shorewood actually has lower median home values ($324,600 vs $392,900).

Median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820 compared to $122,648 in Shorewood (+5.8%). 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, less than the 20.4% in Shorewood.