Channel Lake, IL vs Stonington, IL

The cost of living difference between Channel Lake, IL and Stonington, IL is dramatic. Stonington is 45.7% cheaper than Channel Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Channel Lake has a cost index of 99 while Stonington sits at 68, 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 Channel Lake is $1,526/month compared to $869/month in Stonington — a 76% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stonington is more affordable at $101,000 median vs $210,400.

Median household income in Channel Lake is $63,958 compared to $58,438 in Stonington (+9.4%). Channel Lake does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Channel Lake spend roughly 28.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Stonington.