Mount Prospect, IL vs West Chicago, IL

West Chicago is moderately more affordable than Mount Prospect, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Mount Prospect scores 111 compared to 103 for West Chicago, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mount Prospect can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Mount Prospect is $1,454/month compared to $1,376/month in West Chicago — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Chicago is more affordable at $306,500 median vs $377,000.

Median household income in Mount Prospect is $103,911 compared to $100,568 in West Chicago (+3.3%). Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in West Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.7°F). West Chicago receives more rainfall at 33.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Mount Prospect.