Median rent is 8% lower in Arlington Heights ($1,727/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington Heights, where the median home runs $403,200 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Arlington Heights ($118,532 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Arlington Heights, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington Heights, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Arlington Heights
Illinois
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Arlington Heights at $1,727/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (8% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $403,200 in Arlington Heights — 54% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 13.30% in California, so Arlington Heights is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Arlington Heights has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Arlington Heights
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Arlington Heights.
Pick Arlington Heights if you prioritize higher median household income ($118,532/yr).
Pick Arlington Heights if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Arlington Heights cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Arlington Heights vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,727/mo in Arlington Heights, IL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Arlington Heights, IL has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington Heights or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $118,532 in Arlington Heights, IL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Arlington Heights, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington Heights or Los Angeles?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Arlington Heights, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Arlington Heights income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology