Des Plaines, IL vs Melrose Park, IL

Melrose Park is moderately more affordable than Des Plaines, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Des Plaines scores 105 compared to 94 for Melrose Park, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Des Plaines can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Des Plaines is $1,435/month compared to $1,194/month in Melrose Park — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Melrose Park is more affordable at $265,000 median vs $318,200.

Median household income in Des Plaines is $94,303 compared to $64,740 in Melrose Park (+45.7%). 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 22.1% in Melrose Park.