Harwood Heights, IL vs Melrose Park, IL

Harwood Heights, IL and Melrose Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Harwood Heights scores 97 while Melrose Park scores 94 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 Harwood Heights is $1,166/month compared to $1,194/month in Melrose Park — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Harwood Heights has cheaper rent, Melrose Park actually has lower median home values ($265,000 vs $316,400).

Median household income in Harwood Heights is $79,651 compared to $64,740 in Melrose Park (+23%). While Harwood Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harwood Heights spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Melrose Park.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 51.3°F). Melrose Park receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.9" in Harwood Heights.