Belleville, IL vs Waukegan, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Belleville is 15.2% cheaper than Waukegan. With a cost index of 73 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Belleville to Waukegan should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Belleville is $947/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belleville is more affordable at $131,000 median vs $177,600.

Median household income in Belleville is $60,529 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-14.2%). The higher salaries in Waukegan partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Belleville spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.