Champaign, IL vs North Chicago, IL

Champaign is moderately more affordable than North Chicago, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Champaign scores 82 compared to 90 for North Chicago, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Chicago can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Champaign is $1,103/month compared to $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Champaign has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $199,700).

Median household income in Champaign is $57,544 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+1.3%). Champaign offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Champaign spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in North Chicago.