Chester, IL vs Fox Lake Hills, IL

The cost of living difference between Chester, IL and Fox Lake Hills, IL is dramatic. Chester is 38.5% cheaper than Fox Lake Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 62 while Fox Lake Hills sits at 101, 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 Chester is $642/month compared to $1,514/month in Fox Lake Hills — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $229,700.

Median household income in Chester is $74,673 compared to $111,477 in Fox Lake Hills (-33%). The higher salaries in Fox Lake Hills partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.3% in Fox Lake Hills.