Chatham, IL vs Highwood, IL

The cost of living difference between Chatham, IL and Highwood, IL is dramatic. Chatham is 32.8% cheaper than Highwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 86 while Highwood sits at 128, 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 Chatham is $1,157/month compared to $1,800/month in Highwood — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $454,500.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $101,862 in Highwood (+4.1%). 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 21.2% in Highwood.