Highland, IL vs Highland Park, IL

The cost of living difference between Highland, IL and Highland Park, IL is dramatic. Highland is 49.4% cheaper than Highland Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highland has a cost index of 72 while Highland Park sits at 142, 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 Highland is $776/month compared to $1,903/month in Highland Park — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highland is more affordable at $185,800 median vs $594,400.

Median household income in Highland is $77,886 compared to $161,875 in Highland Park (-51.9%). While Highland Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 14.1% in Highland Park.

Climate-wise, Highland is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 50.8°F in Highland Park. Highland receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Highland Park.