Des Plaines, IL vs Westmont, IL

Des Plaines, IL and Westmont, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Des Plaines scores 105 while Westmont scores 109 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 $1,427/month in Westmont — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Westmont has cheaper rent, Des Plaines actually has lower median home values ($318,200 vs $369,100).

Median household income in Des Plaines is $94,303 compared to $83,622 in Westmont (+12.8%). Des Plaines offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Plaines spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Westmont.