Harvard, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Harvard, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Harvard is 46.7% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Harvard has a cost index of 86 while Wilmette sits at 161, 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 Harvard is $1,184/month compared to $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Harvard is more affordable at $174,000 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Harvard is $71,418 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-62.9%). While Wilmette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harvard spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Wilmette.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.8°F). Harvard receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Wilmette.