Berkeley, IL vs Macomb, IL

The cost of living difference between Berkeley, IL and Macomb, IL is dramatic. Macomb is 45.7% cheaper than Berkeley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Berkeley has a cost index of 93 while Macomb sits at 64, 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 Berkeley is $1,292/month compared to $733/month in Macomb — a 76% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Macomb is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $222,400.

Median household income in Berkeley is $83,224 compared to $39,753 in Macomb (+109.4%). While Berkeley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkeley spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Macomb.