Downers Grove, IL vs Shorewood, IL

Downers Grove, IL and Shorewood, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Downers Grove scores 120 while Shorewood scores 126 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 $2,087/month in Shorewood — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Downers Grove has cheaper rent, Shorewood actually has lower median home values ($324,600 vs $439,000).

Median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649 compared to $122,648 in Shorewood (-2.4%). The higher salaries in Shorewood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Downers Grove spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.4% in Shorewood.