Burlington, IL vs Waterman, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waterman is 18.4% cheaper than Burlington. With a cost index of 81 vs 95, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Waterman to Burlington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $1,196/month compared to $897/month in Waterman — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterman is more affordable at $212,900 median vs $283,300.

Median household income in Burlington is $83,250 compared to $97,386 in Waterman (-14.5%). Waterman offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Waterman.