Des Plaines, IL vs Lake in the Hills, IL

Des Plaines, IL and Lake in the Hills, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Des Plaines scores 105 while Lake in the Hills scores 110 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 $1,634/month in Lake in the Hills — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Des Plaines has cheaper rent, Lake in the Hills actually has lower median home values ($296,400 vs $318,200).

Median household income in Des Plaines is $94,303 compared to $113,491 in Lake in the Hills (-16.9%). While Lake in the Hills 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, more than the 17.3% in Lake in the Hills.