Crystal Lake, IL vs Waukegan, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waukegan is 20% 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 Waukegan 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 $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $287,400.

Median household income in Crystal Lake is $105,428 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+49.4%). 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 19.8% in Waukegan.