Crystal Lake, IL vs Prospect Heights, IL

Crystal Lake, IL and Prospect Heights, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Crystal Lake scores 103 while Prospect Heights scores 107 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 Crystal Lake is $1,431/month compared to $1,391/month in Prospect Heights — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Prospect Heights has cheaper rent, Crystal Lake actually has lower median home values ($287,400 vs $347,500).

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $91,599 in Prospect Heights (+15.1%). Crystal Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Crystal Lake spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Prospect Heights.