Palatine, IL vs Westmont, IL

Palatine, IL and Westmont, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Palatine scores 109 while Westmont scores 109 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 Palatine is $1,467/month compared to $1,427/month in Westmont — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Westmont has cheaper rent, Palatine actually has lower median home values ($347,900 vs $369,100).

Median household income in Palatine is $95,950 compared to $83,622 in Westmont (+14.7%). Palatine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Palatine spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Westmont.

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