North Chicago, IL vs Palos Heights, IL

The cost of living difference between North Chicago, IL and Palos Heights, IL is dramatic. North Chicago is 30.3% cheaper than Palos Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. North Chicago has a cost index of 90 while Palos Heights sits at 129, 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 North Chicago is $1,392/month compared to $2,138/month in Palos Heights — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Chicago is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $350,000.

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $107,974 in Palos Heights (-47.4%). While Palos Heights 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 23.8% in Palos Heights.

Climate-wise, Palos Heights is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 48.3°F in North Chicago. North Chicago receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 34.4" in Palos Heights.