Long Grove, IL vs Melrose Park, IL

The cost of living difference between Long Grove, IL and Melrose Park, IL is dramatic. Melrose Park is 116.7% cheaper than Long Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Long Grove has a cost index of 203 while Melrose Park sits at 94, 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 Long Grove is $3,501/month compared to $1,194/month in Melrose Park — a 193% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Melrose Park is more affordable at $265,000 median vs $746,700.

Median household income in Long Grove is $235,368 compared to $64,740 in Melrose Park (+263.6%). While Long Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Long Grove spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Melrose Park.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 51.3°F). Melrose Park receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 32.3" in Long Grove.