Downers Grove, IL vs East St. Louis, IL

The cost of living difference between Downers Grove, IL and East St. Louis, IL is dramatic. East St. Louis is 115.6% cheaper than Downers Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Downers Grove has a cost index of 120 while East St. Louis sits at 56, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Downers Grove is $1,589/month compared to $597/month in East St. Louis — a 166% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East St. Louis is more affordable at $52,700 median vs $439,000.

Median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649 compared to $30,992 in East St. Louis (+286.1%). While Downers Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Downers Grove spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in East St. Louis.