City Profile

Arlington Heights, Illinois

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

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Overall Score

Arlington Heights is a prominent and vibrant northwest suburb of Chicago, offering a blend of urban accessibility and classic suburban charm. Originally settled in the 1830s as a farming community, it evolved into a bustling commuter hub following the arrival of the railroad. Today, it stands as one of Illinois's largest municipalities, celebrated for its thriving downtown, excellent public schools, and welcoming community atmosphere. Residents and visitors alike are drawn to its rich history, tree-lined neighborhoods, and active local calendar.

About Illinois

Illinois, known as the "Prairie State," offers a diverse character ranging from the bustling metropolis of Chicago to expansive farmlands. Its economy is among the largest and most diversified in the U.S., with major industries including advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, life sciences, technology, and transportation and logistics. While the cost of living statewide is generally considered moderate, housing costs in Chicago can be higher than the national average. Illinois experiences all four seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, and is susceptible to severe storms and tornadoes, particularly in spring. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that balances world-class cultural amenities and career opportunities with challenges such as high taxes and urban congestion.

75,101

Population

$78K

Avg Salary

112

Cost Index

64.9

Quality Score

How this 65/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them

Component	Readings used	Points	Weight	Contributes
Safety	Safety score: 85 / 100	85.0	30%	25.5
Affordability	Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 112.0	28.8	25%	7.2
Economy & jobs	Median household income: $105,845 Income needed to live here: $62,000 Unemployment rate: 3.8%	88.8	20%	17.8
Growth	Population growth rate: 0.4% Job growth rate: 1.9%	46.5	15%	7.0
Business climate assessment	Business climate assessment: 75 / 100	75.0	10%	7.5
Overall score				64.9

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 2 (reasoned) (q=54, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business

Livability

Affordability

Growth

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Arlington Heights is moderately higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and property tax expenses typical of the Chicago metropolitan area. While everyday goods, utilities, and healthcare remain relatively aligned with national trends, the demand for quality suburban housing keeps real estate costs elevated. However, residents find value in the robust municipal services, well-maintained parks, and high-performing local infrastructure that justify the overall investment.

Average Rent

$1,850/mo

Groceries

$420/mo

Transport

$130/mo

Utilities

$175/mo

Healthcare

$240/mo

Gym membership (monthly)

$50.00

Cinema ticket

$15.00

Restaurant meal (mid-range)

$25.00

Monthly groceries

$420.00

Doctor visit (without insurance)

$160.00

Income

Salary Insights

Arlington Heights benefits from a diverse local economy bolstered by its proximity to the broader Chicagoland job market and O'Hare International Airport corridor. Major employment sectors include healthcare, professional and scientific services, manufacturing, and retail trade, providing a resilient foundation for the workforce. The village's thriving downtown district also supports numerous small businesses, boutique retailers, and corporate offices, fostering steady entrepreneurial growth and remote work opportunities.

The average salary in Arlington Heights is $78,000 per year. You would need approximately $62,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Retail Trade +0.90% Manufacturing +1.20% Healthcare +2.40% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services +2.10% Educational Services +1.50%

Weather

Climate

🌡️

51°F

Avg Temp

☀️

82°F

Summer High

❄️

17°F

Winter Low

🌧️

33.10"

Annual Rain

💧

68.00%

Humidity

🌤️

255

Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Transportation options are robust, highlighted by multiple Metra commuter rail stations providing direct, efficient access to downtown Chicago in under an hour. The village is also served by PACE bus routes and maintains convenient access to major interstate highways including I-90 and Route 53. While car dependency remains moderate to high for daily errands, the walkable downtown core allows pedestrians to easily access dining, shopping, and entertainment.

31 min

Avg Commute

58.00/10

Transit Score

62.00/10

Walkability

Medium

Car Dependency

At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Direct Metra train service to downtown Chicago provides an efficient commute for working professionals.

Consistently top-ranked public school districts draw many families to the area.

A vibrant, walkable downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.

Exceptional public safety record with crime rates well below the national average.

An extensive local park district operating numerous neighborhood parks, pools, and community programs.

Drawbacks

Property taxes in Illinois and Arlington Heights are notably higher than the national average.

Housing inventory can be tight and competitive, driving up purchasing costs for single-family homes.

Winters are cold and snowy, requiring regular snow removal and winter preparedness.

Car dependency is moderate to high outside of the immediate downtown district.

Traffic congestion can be heavy during peak rush hours along major regional arteries like Route 14 and I-90.

Head to Head

Compare Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights VS Bloomington Arlington Heights VS Binghamton Arlington Heights VS Cincinnati Arlington Heights VS Owasso

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Community Q&A

Questions about Arlington Heights

What people ask about living in and moving to Arlington Heights, Illinois.

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Gathering the most common questions about Arlington Heights…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.

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