Median rent is 8% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,042/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo Grove, where the median home runs $392,900 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Buffalo Grove ($129,820 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Buffalo Grove, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo Grove, 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
Buffalo Grove
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 Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,042/mo in Buffalo Grove (8% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $392,900 in Buffalo Grove — 55% 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 Buffalo Grove is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Buffalo Grove has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Buffalo Grove
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 Buffalo Grove.
Pick Buffalo Grove if you prioritize higher median household income ($129,820/yr).
Pick Buffalo Grove if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Buffalo Grove cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Buffalo Grove vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,042/mo in Buffalo Grove, IL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo Grove or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $129,820 in Buffalo Grove, IL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Buffalo Grove, 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 — Buffalo Grove or Los Angeles?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Buffalo Grove, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Buffalo Grove 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