Hillside, IL vs Lena, IL

The cost of living difference between Hillside, IL and Lena, IL is dramatic. Lena is 41.8% cheaper than Hillside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillside has a cost index of 93 while Lena 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 Hillside is $1,265/month compared to $647/month in Lena — a 96% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lena is more affordable at $154,000 median vs $233,800.

Median household income in Hillside is $70,772 compared to $76,076 in Lena (-7%). Lena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillside spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Lena.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 49.4°F). Hillside receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.2" in Lena.