Countryside, IL vs Ottawa, IL

The cost of living difference between Countryside, IL and Ottawa, IL is dramatic. Ottawa is 35.9% cheaper than Countryside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Countryside has a cost index of 100 while Ottawa sits at 73, 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 Countryside is $1,212/month compared to $922/month in Ottawa — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottawa is more affordable at $144,500 median vs $330,700.

Median household income in Countryside is $78,132 compared to $73,011 in Ottawa (+7%). Countryside 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 Countryside spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Ottawa.