Calumet City, IL vs Palos Heights, IL

The cost of living difference between Calumet City, IL and Palos Heights, IL is dramatic. Calumet City is 37.1% cheaper than Palos Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calumet City has a cost index of 81 while Palos Heights sits at 129, 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 Calumet City is $1,138/month compared to $2,138/month in Palos Heights — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calumet City is more affordable at $133,600 median vs $350,000.

Median household income in Calumet City is $53,991 compared to $107,974 in Palos Heights (-50%). While Palos Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Calumet City spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Palos Heights.