Crystal Lake, IL vs Wood Dale, IL

Crystal Lake is moderately more affordable than Wood Dale, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Crystal Lake scores 103 compared to 111 for Wood Dale, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wood Dale 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 $1,652/month in Wood Dale — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crystal Lake is more affordable at $287,400 median vs $303,400.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $90,408 in Wood Dale (+16.6%). 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 21.9% in Wood Dale.