City Comparison
Palatine vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Palatine
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palatine is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Palatine's average rent is
10% lower than Orland Park's.
| Metric | Palatine | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,950 | -10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,925 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Palatine offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Palatine is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Palatine | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $89,500 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Palatine | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 27.90 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Palatine has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Palatine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Palatine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Palatine | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Palatine is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Palatine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Palatine | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,908 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Palatine
Advantages
Consistently low crime rates making it one of the safer suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area per police department reports.
Direct Metra commuter rail access providing efficient transit to downtown Chicago per Metra schedules.
Exceptional public school districts serving families with highly rated elementary, middle, and high schools per state education reports.
Extensive park district managing over 50 parks, golf courses, and the expansive Deer Grove forest preserve.
Vibrant downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and community events per local chamber of commerce data.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of suburban Cook County per county assessor data.
Cost of living and housing expenses exceed the national average per Zillow and US Census Bureau figures.
Car dependency remains relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown transit core.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major regional arteries like Route 53 and US-12.
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Palatine
#277Illinois, USA
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
84
Business
75
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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