Deerfield, IL vs Downers Grove, IL

The cost of living difference between Deerfield, IL and Downers Grove, IL is dramatic. Downers Grove is 30.7% cheaper than Deerfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Deerfield has a cost index of 157 while Downers Grove sits at 120, 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 Deerfield is $2,345/month compared to $1,589/month in Downers Grove — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Downers Grove is more affordable at $439,000 median vs $608,600.

Median household income in Deerfield is $189,705 compared to $119,649 in Downers Grove (+58.6%). While Deerfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Deerfield spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 15.9% in Downers Grove.