Highland Park, IL vs Troy, IL

The cost of living difference between Highland Park, IL and Troy, IL is dramatic. Troy is 67.2% 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 Troy sits at 85, 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 $1,060/month in Troy — a 80% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Troy is more affordable at $240,800 median vs $594,400.

Median household income in Highland Park is $161,875 compared to $97,825 in Troy (+65.5%). The higher salaries in Highland Park partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland Park spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Troy.

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