Oak Brook, IL vs Rolling Meadows, IL

The cost of living difference between Oak Brook, IL and Rolling Meadows, IL is dramatic. Rolling Meadows is 81.4% cheaper than Oak Brook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oak Brook has a cost index of 196 while Rolling Meadows sits at 108, 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 Oak Brook is $2,921/month compared to $1,563/month in Rolling Meadows — a 87% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rolling Meadows is more affordable at $299,700 median vs $867,900.

Median household income in Oak Brook is $171,123 compared to $100,424 in Rolling Meadows (+70.4%). The higher salaries in Oak Brook partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Brook spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Rolling Meadows.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 50.8°F). Oak Brook receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Rolling Meadows.