Carlyle, IL vs Willowbrook, IL

The cost of living difference between Carlyle, IL and Willowbrook, IL is dramatic. Carlyle is 33.8% cheaper than Willowbrook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carlyle has a cost index of 78 while Willowbrook sits at 117, 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 Carlyle is $1,051/month compared to $1,691/month in Willowbrook — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carlyle is more affordable at $151,900 median vs $367,000.

Median household income in Carlyle is $67,083 compared to $97,861 in Willowbrook (-31.5%). The higher salaries in Willowbrook partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlyle spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Willowbrook.