Is Denver, CO cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 15.0% more expensive than Crystal Lake, IL. This translates to spending an extra $1123 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Crystal Lake, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Crystal Lake, IL, you'd need approximately $163,471.875 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Crystal Lake, IL and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 33.0% more expensive than in Crystal Lake, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,433/month in Crystal Lake, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1123 more per month than Crystal Lake, IL, or $13472 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Crystal Lake, IL vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Crystal Lake, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Crystal Lake, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.5K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 15.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,123

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Crystal Lake, IL

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$408K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$513K

Crystal Lake, IL

The Prairie State

41K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 41K residents.

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Crystal Lake, IL vs Denver, CO

Category	Crystal Lake, IL	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,443/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $806more	33.0%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $219more	14.1%
🏥Healthcare	$560/mo	$632/mo	↑ $72.39more	12.9%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $60.94more	6.3%
⚡All Utilities	$488/mo	$519/mo	↑ $30.73more	6.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,487/mo	$1,462/mo	↓ $25.49less	1.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 33.0%

Crystal Lake, IL

$2,443

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$806

📦Other

↑ 14.1%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,556

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$219

🏥Healthcare

↑ 12.9%

Crystal Lake, IL

$560

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$72.39

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.3%

Crystal Lake, IL

$968

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$60.94

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.3%

Crystal Lake, IL

$488

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$30.73

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.7%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,487

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$25.49

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Crystal Lake, IL has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,189

To$1,720

↑ $531

1 Bed

From$1,275

To$1,840

↑ $565

2 Bed

From$1,433

To$2,190

↑ $757

3 Bed

From$1,843

To$2,870

↑ $1,027

Crystal Lake, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,610–$1,780/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,502

Monthly in Crystal Lake, IL

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,163

Difference

Home Values

Crystal Lake

Denver

$408K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +5%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +46.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$349K - $466K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 26% more expensive than Crystal Lake

Calculate payment - Crystal Lake Calculate payment - Denver

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $825

Per year

Monthly Difference

$68.75

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Crystal Lake, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Crystal Lake, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.