Decatur, IL vs Lake in the Hills, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Lake in the Hills, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 43.1% cheaper than Lake in the Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Lake in the Hills sits at 110, 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 $1,634/month in Lake in the Hills — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $296,400.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $113,491 in Lake in the Hills (-55.2%). While Lake in the Hills 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 17.3% in Lake in the Hills.