Downers Grove, IL vs Lake Forest, IL

The cost of living difference between Downers Grove, IL and Lake Forest, IL is dramatic. Downers Grove is 31.3% cheaper than Lake Forest, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Downers Grove has a cost index of 120 while Lake Forest sits at 175, 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 $2,120/month in Lake Forest — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Downers Grove is more affordable at $439,000 median vs $909,800.

Median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649 compared to $228,120 in Lake Forest (-47.5%). While Lake Forest 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, more than the 11.2% in Lake Forest.