Downers Grove, IL vs Schaumburg, IL

Downers Grove, IL and Schaumburg, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Downers Grove scores 120 while Schaumburg scores 115 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 $1,774/month in Schaumburg — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Downers Grove has cheaper rent, Schaumburg actually has lower median home values ($312,200 vs $439,000).

Median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649 compared to $94,690 in Schaumburg (+26.4%). 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 22.5% in Schaumburg.