Decatur, IL vs Glen Ellyn, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Glen Ellyn, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 47.5% cheaper than Glen Ellyn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Glen Ellyn sits at 119, 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 Decatur is $796/month compared to $1,326/month in Glen Ellyn — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $522,600.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $133,346 in Glen Ellyn (-61.9%). While Glen Ellyn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Glen Ellyn.