Highland, IL vs Lansing, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Highland is 18.4% cheaper than Lansing. With a cost index of 72 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Highland to Lansing should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Highland is $776/month compared to $1,271/month in Lansing — a 39% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Highland has cheaper rent, Lansing actually has lower median home values ($168,500 vs $185,800).

Median household income in Highland is $77,886 compared to $71,805 in Lansing (+8.5%). Highland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Lansing.

Climate-wise, Highland is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 52.1°F in Lansing. Highland receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 34.4" in Lansing.