Decatur, IL vs Highland Park, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Highland Park, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 56.1% cheaper than Highland Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Highland Park sits at 142, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $796/month compared to $1,903/month in Highland Park — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $594,400.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $161,875 in Highland Park (-68.6%). While Highland Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Highland Park.