Des Plaines, IL vs Elmwood Park, IL

Des Plaines, IL and Elmwood Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Des Plaines scores 105 while Elmwood Park scores 102 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Des Plaines is $1,435/month compared to $1,295/month in Elmwood Park — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elmwood Park has cheaper rent, Des Plaines actually has lower median home values ($318,200 vs $325,000).

Median household income in Des Plaines is $94,303 compared to $84,121 in Elmwood Park (+12.1%). While Des Plaines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Plaines spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in Elmwood Park.