Glenwood, IL vs West Chicago, IL

Glenwood, IL and West Chicago, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Glenwood scores 101 while West Chicago scores 103 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 Glenwood is $1,639/month compared to $1,376/month in West Chicago — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Chicago has cheaper rent, Glenwood actually has lower median home values ($182,900 vs $306,500).

Median household income in Glenwood is $71,376 compared to $100,568 in West Chicago (-29%). While West Chicago is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Glenwood spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in West Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 49.7°F). Glenwood receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 33.2" in West Chicago.