Highwood, IL vs Sterling, IL

The cost of living difference between Highwood, IL and Sterling, IL is dramatic. Sterling is 93.2% cheaper than Highwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highwood has a cost index of 128 while Sterling sits at 66, 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 $780/month in Sterling — a 131% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sterling is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $454,500.

Median household income in Highwood is $101,862 compared to $52,647 in Sterling (+93.5%). While Highwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Highwood spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Sterling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.4°F). Sterling receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Highwood.