Benson, IL vs Lily Lake, IL

The cost of living difference between Benson, IL and Lily Lake, IL is dramatic. Benson is 36.4% cheaper than Lily Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Benson has a cost index of 70 while Lily Lake sits at 111, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Benson is $975/month compared to $1,438/month in Lily Lake — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Benson is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $379,300.

Median household income in Benson is $74,886 compared to $145,192 in Lily Lake (-48.4%). While Lily Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Benson spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Lily Lake.