Highwood, IL vs Orion, IL

The cost of living difference between Highwood, IL and Orion, IL is dramatic. Orion is 85.8% cheaper than Highwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highwood has a cost index of 128 while Orion sits at 69, 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 Highwood is $1,800/month compared to $783/month in Orion — a 130% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Orion is more affordable at $168,300 median vs $454,500.

Median household income in Highwood is $101,862 compared to $88,500 in Orion (+15.1%). Highwood does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Highwood spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Orion.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 51.2°F). Orion receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Highwood.