Des Plaines, IL vs McHenry, IL

Des Plaines, IL and McHenry, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Des Plaines scores 105 while McHenry 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 $1,508/month in McHenry — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Des Plaines has cheaper rent, McHenry actually has lower median home values ($244,900 vs $318,200).

Median household income in Des Plaines is $94,303 compared to $86,865 in McHenry (+8.6%). 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 20.8% in McHenry.