Highland Park, IL vs Lyons, IL

The cost of living difference between Highland Park, IL and Lyons, IL is dramatic. Lyons is 56.7% cheaper than Highland Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highland Park has a cost index of 142 while Lyons sits at 91, 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 Park is $1,903/month compared to $1,154/month in Lyons — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lyons is more affordable at $243,500 median vs $594,400.

Median household income in Highland Park is $161,875 compared to $64,209 in Lyons (+152.1%). 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 Park spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 21.6% in Lyons.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 52.1°F). Lyons receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Highland Park.