Harwood Heights, IL vs West Chicago, IL

Harwood Heights is moderately more affordable than West Chicago, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Harwood Heights scores 97 compared to 103 for West Chicago, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Chicago can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harwood Heights is $1,166/month compared to $1,376/month in West Chicago — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Harwood Heights has cheaper rent, West Chicago actually has lower median home values ($306,500 vs $316,400).

Median household income in Harwood Heights is $79,651 compared to $100,568 in West Chicago (-20.8%). 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 Harwood Heights spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in West Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 49.7°F). Harwood Heights receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 33.2" in West Chicago.