Highland, IL vs Lake in the Hills, IL

The cost of living difference between Highland, IL and Lake in the Hills, IL is dramatic. Highland is 34.4% cheaper than Lake in the Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highland has a cost index of 72 while Lake in the Hills sits at 110, 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 $1,634/month in Lake in the Hills — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highland is more affordable at $185,800 median vs $296,400.

Median household income in Highland is $77,886 compared to $113,491 in Lake in the Hills (-31.4%). The higher salaries in Lake in the Hills partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Lake in the Hills.

Climate-wise, Highland is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.7°F in Lake in the Hills. Highland receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 33.2" in Lake in the Hills.