Bradley, IL vs DeKalb, IL

Bradley, IL and DeKalb, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Bradley scores 82 while DeKalb scores 84 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bradley is $1,181/month compared to $1,030/month in DeKalb — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while DeKalb has cheaper rent, Bradley actually has lower median home values ($164,400 vs $202,900).

Median household income in Bradley is $62,940 compared to $46,564 in DeKalb (+35.2%). Bradley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bradley spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 26.5% in DeKalb.