Crystal Lake, IL vs Swansea, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Swansea is 19.1% cheaper than Crystal Lake. With a cost index of 86 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Swansea to Crystal Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Crystal Lake is $1,431/month compared to $1,178/month in Swansea — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Swansea is more affordable at $211,700 median vs $287,400.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $84,367 in Swansea (+25%). While Crystal Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Crystal Lake spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.8% in Swansea.