Gurnee, IL vs Highland, IL

The cost of living difference between Gurnee, IL and Highland, IL is dramatic. Highland is 54.6% cheaper than Gurnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gurnee has a cost index of 111 while Highland sits at 72, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gurnee is $1,594/month compared to $776/month in Highland — a 105% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highland is more affordable at $185,800 median vs $331,100.

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $77,886 in Highland (+55.9%). While Gurnee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gurnee spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12% in Highland.

Climate-wise, Highland is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 48.3°F in Gurnee. Highland receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 35.3" in Gurnee.