Downers Grove, IL vs Lake Zurich, IL

Downers Grove, IL and Lake Zurich, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Downers Grove scores 120 while Lake Zurich scores 124 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 Downers Grove is $1,589/month compared to $1,782/month in Lake Zurich — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Downers Grove has cheaper rent, Lake Zurich actually has lower median home values ($418,300 vs $439,000).

Median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649 compared to $139,959 in Lake Zurich (-14.5%). While Lake Zurich 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 15.3% in Lake Zurich.