Decatur, IL vs Galesburg, IL

Decatur, IL and Galesburg, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 62 while Galesburg scores 63 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 Decatur is $796/month compared to $719/month in Galesburg — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Galesburg is more affordable at $89,800 median vs $97,300.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $45,213 in Galesburg (+12.4%). Decatur offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Galesburg.