Columbia, IL vs North Chicago, IL

Columbia, IL and North Chicago, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Columbia scores 90 while North Chicago scores 90 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 Columbia is $1,089/month compared to $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Columbia has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $290,100).

Median household income in Columbia is $107,922 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+90%). Columbia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in North Chicago.