Glen Ellyn, IL vs Palatine, IL

Palatine is moderately more affordable than Glen Ellyn, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Glen Ellyn scores 119 compared to 109 for Palatine, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Glen Ellyn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Glen Ellyn is $1,326/month compared to $1,467/month in Palatine — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Glen Ellyn has cheaper rent, Palatine actually has lower median home values ($347,900 vs $522,600).

Median household income in Glen Ellyn is $133,346 compared to $95,950 in Palatine (+39%). While Glen Ellyn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Glen Ellyn spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Palatine.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 50.8°F). Glen Ellyn receives more rainfall at 33.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Palatine.