Round Lake Heights, IL vs University Park, IL

Round Lake Heights, IL and University Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Round Lake Heights scores 95 while University Park scores 94 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 Round Lake Heights is $1,435/month compared to $1,530/month in University Park — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Round Lake Heights has cheaper rent, University Park actually has lower median home values ($137,800 vs $196,100).

Median household income in Round Lake Heights is $75,556 compared to $65,580 in University Park (+15.2%). While Round Lake 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 Round Lake Heights spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 28% in University Park.

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