North Chicago, IL vs Palatine, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. North Chicago is 17.2% cheaper than Palatine. With a cost index of 90 vs 109, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from North Chicago to Palatine should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in North Chicago is $1,392/month compared to $1,467/month in Palatine — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Chicago is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $347,900.

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $95,950 in Palatine (-40.8%). While Palatine is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of North Chicago spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Palatine.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.8°F). North Chicago receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Palatine.