North Chicago, IL vs River Grove, IL

North Chicago, IL and River Grove, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. North Chicago scores 90 while River Grove scores 93 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in North Chicago is $1,392/month compared to $1,230/month in River Grove — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while River Grove has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $244,700).

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $74,793 in River Grove (-24%). While River 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 North Chicago spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in River Grove.

Climate-wise, River Grove is notably warmer with an average of 51.3°F compared to 48.3°F in North Chicago. River Grove receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 35.3" in North Chicago.