Median rent is 16% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,634/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lake in the Hills, where the median home runs $296,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Lake in the Hills ($113,491 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Lake in the Hills, IL
How much would you need to earn in Lake in the Hills, IL to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, 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
Chicago
Illinois
Lake in the Hills
Illinois
👥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 Chicago at $1,380/mo compared to $1,634/mo in Lake in the Hills (16% gap). Median home values are within 6% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $296,400 in Lake in the Hills.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Lake in the Hills is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Illinois; Lake in the Hills has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Lake in the Hills
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Lake in the Hills.
Pick Lake in the Hills if you prioritize higher median household income ($113,491/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Is Chicago cheaper than Lake in the Hills?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Lake in the Hills?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,634/mo in Lake in the Hills, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Lake in the Hills?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $113,491 in Lake in the Hills, IL. Lake in the Hills, 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 — Chicago or Lake in the Hills?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Lake in the Hills, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Lake in the Hills to match my Chicago 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