Crete, IL vs Melrose Park, IL

Crete, IL and Melrose Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Crete scores 92 while Melrose Park scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Crete is $1,283/month compared to $1,194/month in Melrose Park — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Melrose Park has cheaper rent, Crete actually has lower median home values ($209,100 vs $265,000).

Median household income in Crete is $97,984 compared to $64,740 in Melrose Park (+51.4%). Crete offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Crete spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Melrose Park.