Darien, IL vs Oak Lawn, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Oak Lawn is 21.2% cheaper than Darien. With a cost index of 98 vs 118, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Oak Lawn to Darien should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Darien is $1,671/month compared to $1,310/month in Oak Lawn — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oak Lawn is more affordable at $267,900 median vs $386,400.

Median household income in Darien is $109,354 compared to $82,493 in Oak Lawn (+32.6%). While Darien is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Darien spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Oak Lawn.