Chester, IL vs Frankfort, IL

The cost of living difference between Chester, IL and Frankfort, IL is dramatic. Chester is 55.7% cheaper than Frankfort, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 62 while Frankfort sits at 140, 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 Chester is $642/month compared to $2,175/month in Frankfort — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $461,600.

Median household income in Chester is $74,673 compared to $153,714 in Frankfort (-51.4%). The higher salaries in Frankfort partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Frankfort.