2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
McHenry, IL vs Lake Forest, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in McHenry?
- Lake Forest is 4.8% less expensive than McHenry.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or McHenry?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 269.2% more expensive than McHenry housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in McHenry or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 0.6% less in Lake Forest.
 McHenry, ILLake Forest, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries95.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing77.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$898,600$338,100
 Utilities96  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.7100
 Miscellaneous138.5  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 Mchenry    5 Reviews

I was transferred to Northern Illinois and I made the disastrous decision to put down roots in McHenry County, IL. As noted above, property taxes are the highest in all  More

   |    Reply

I've Lived in McHenry for over 23yrs and it is still not that bad of a place to live at. However, Crime has been on the rise, heroin and coke are a real problem in  More

   |    Reply

being a veteran of McHenry for over 20yrs. McHenry is a alright place to be, but heroin and coke are major problems there...crime is on the rise, doesn't seem to show a  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Mchenry

Reviews for Lake Forest    4 Reviews

We relocated cross county to Lake Forest about a year ago due to a job change. We looked at nearby communities, within proximity of the work commute (the office is in  More

   |    Reply

Be prepared for a so called upscale town with entitled, overpaid, snooty people from teenagers who sneer at you to adults who look you up and down, who make demands on a  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

Long cold winters, short cold springs, hot humid summers, nice  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Forest


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.