DeKalb, IL vs Hazel Crest, IL

DeKalb is moderately more affordable than Hazel Crest, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. DeKalb scores 84 compared to 94 for Hazel Crest, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hazel Crest can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in DeKalb is $1,030/month compared to $1,439/month in Hazel Crest — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while DeKalb has cheaper rent, Hazel Crest actually has lower median home values ($181,400 vs $202,900).

Median household income in DeKalb is $46,564 compared to $62,773 in Hazel Crest (-25.8%). While Hazel Crest is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of DeKalb spend roughly 26.5% of their income on rent, less than the 27.5% in Hazel Crest.