Champaign, IL vs Waukegan, IL

Champaign, IL and Waukegan, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Champaign scores 82 while Waukegan scores 86 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 Champaign is $1,103/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Champaign has cheaper rent, Waukegan actually has lower median home values ($177,600 vs $199,700).

Median household income in Champaign is $57,544 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-18.5%). While Waukegan is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Champaign spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Waukegan.