Chatham, IL vs Crystal Lake, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chatham is 16.5% cheaper than Crystal Lake. With a cost index of 86 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chatham to Crystal Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chatham is $1,157/month compared to $1,431/month in Crystal Lake — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $287,400.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $105,428 in Crystal Lake (+0.6%). Chatham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, less than the 16.3% in Crystal Lake.