2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Des Plaines, IL vs Jay, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Jay or is it cheaper to live in Des Plaines?
- Jay is 5.6% less expensive than Des Plaines.

Which city has more affordable housing, Jay or Des Plaines?
- Jay housing costs are 39.0% less expensive than Des Plaines housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Des Plaines or is Health Care more affordable in Jay.
- Health related expenses are 11.8% more in Jay.
 Des Plaines, ILJay, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock98.4100
 Housing101.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$220,600$338,100
 Utilities96  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.6100
 Miscellaneous139.8  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 Des Plaines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

low  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

The historic center of des plaines is also downtown. Fairly easy commute to Chicago. The metra is right there. Also there is the Des Plaines public library with a great  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Changing of the seasons is good. But it's too cold for too  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Plaines

Reviews for Jay    5 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

This particular place is where I call home. I've never seen a sign at our borders that said anything about staying out if you're dark skinned. I've never seen anyone  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

I grew up in Jay and lived there up until I was 19. Living there was absolute hell for so many reasons. The population is very small and 98% white people. Most of the  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here for six years now, since I was fifteen. The only school is small: I graduated in a class of somewhere around 50, I believe. The most interesting thing  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Jay


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.