Calumet City, IL vs Effingham, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Effingham is 19% cheaper than Calumet City. With a cost index of 68 vs 81, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Effingham to Calumet City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Calumet City is $1,138/month compared to $696/month in Effingham — a 64% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Effingham has cheaper rent, Calumet City actually has lower median home values ($133,600 vs $166,700).

Median household income in Calumet City is $53,991 compared to $65,718 in Effingham (-17.8%). Effingham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Calumet City spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.7% in Effingham.