Crystal Lake, IL vs Schaumburg, IL

Crystal Lake is moderately more affordable than Schaumburg, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Crystal Lake scores 103 compared to 115 for Schaumburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Schaumburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Crystal Lake is $1,431/month compared to $1,774/month in Schaumburg — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crystal Lake is more affordable at $287,400 median vs $312,200.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $94,690 in Schaumburg (+11.3%). 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 22.5% in Schaumburg.