Crystal Lake, IL vs Glen Carbon, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Glen Carbon is 15.5% cheaper than Crystal Lake. With a cost index of 89 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Glen Carbon to Crystal Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Crystal Lake is $1,431/month compared to $1,088/month in Glen Carbon — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Glen Carbon is more affordable at $278,200 median vs $287,400.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $92,434 in Glen Carbon (+14.1%). The higher salaries in Crystal Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Crystal Lake spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Glen Carbon.