Median rent is 24% lower in Crystal Lake ($1,431/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Crystal Lake, where the median home runs $287,400 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Crystal Lake ($105,428 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Crystal Lake, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Crystal Lake, 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
Crystal Lake
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Crystal Lake — median rent of $1,431/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $287,400 in Crystal Lake — 67% 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 Crystal Lake is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Crystal Lake has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Crystal Lake
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 Crystal Lake.
Pick Crystal Lake if you prioritize higher median household income ($105,428/yr).
Pick Crystal Lake if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,431/mo median).
Pick Crystal Lake if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Crystal Lake cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Crystal Lake vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,431/mo in Crystal Lake, IL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Crystal Lake, IL has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Crystal Lake or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $105,428 in Crystal Lake, IL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Crystal Lake, 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 — Crystal Lake or Los Angeles?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Crystal Lake, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Crystal Lake 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