Chatham, IL vs Park Ridge, IL

The cost of living difference between Chatham, IL and Park Ridge, IL is dramatic. Chatham is 31.8% cheaper than Park Ridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 86 while Park Ridge sits at 126, 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 $1,511/month in Park Ridge — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $539,300.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $138,059 in Park Ridge (-23.2%). The higher salaries in Park Ridge partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, less than the 13.1% in Park Ridge.