Palatine, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Palatine, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Palatine is 32.5% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Palatine has a cost index of 109 while Wilmette sits at 161, 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 Palatine is $1,467/month compared to $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Palatine is more affordable at $347,900 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Palatine is $95,950 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-50.1%). While Wilmette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Palatine spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Wilmette.

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