Highland, IL vs North Chicago, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Highland is 20.2% cheaper than North Chicago. With a cost index of 72 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Highland to North Chicago should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Highland is $776/month compared to $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 44% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Highland has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $185,800).

Median household income in Highland is $77,886 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+37.1%). 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 29.4% in North Chicago.

Climate-wise, Highland is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 48.3°F in North Chicago. Highland receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 35.3" in North Chicago.