Chatham, IL vs DeKalb, IL

Chatham, IL and DeKalb, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Chatham scores 86 while DeKalb scores 84 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 Chatham is $1,157/month compared to $1,030/month in DeKalb — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: DeKalb is more affordable at $202,900 median vs $231,900.

Median household income in Chatham is $106,030 compared to $46,564 in DeKalb (+127.7%). While Chatham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.1% of their income on rent, less than the 26.5% in DeKalb.