2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Alameda, CA vs Buffalo Grove, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo Grove or is it cheaper to live in Alameda?
- Buffalo Grove is 50.4% less expensive than Alameda.

Which city has more affordable housing, Buffalo Grove or Alameda?
- Buffalo Grove housing costs are 72.7% less expensive than Alameda housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Alameda or is Health Care more affordable in Buffalo Grove.
- Health related expenses are 17.6% less in Buffalo Grove.
 Alameda, CABuffalo Grove, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries112.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing424.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$334,600$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock92.6100
 Miscellaneous159.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Alameda    6 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Having been born here & 70 now I have watched firsthand, a small, quiet town ruined by excessive building, overcrowding and far too many restaurants for a city this  More

   |    Reply

Enjoy the immense benefit to having a close-knit community with main-street USA feel less than 10 miles from the resources of several urban and education  More

   |    Reply

Alameda, CA is a unique town here in the Bay Area. Perhaps because it is an island, or perhaps because for many decades it was a U.S. Army base, the city has never  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Alameda

Reviews for Buffalo Grove    7 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Numerous forest preserve areas with walking paths and places to play sports (baseball, soccer, football). Close driving distance to Lake Michigan and several  More

   |    Reply

nice town to raise a  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

No place is perfect however BG is at or near the top especially in schooling and crime prevention. Numerous parks and biking paths. A great place to raise a family safe  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Buffalo Grove


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.