Decatur, IL vs Lansing, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Decatur is 29.2% cheaper than Lansing. With a cost index of 62 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Decatur to Lansing should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $796/month compared to $1,271/month in Lansing — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $168,500.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $71,805 in Lansing (-29.2%). The higher salaries in Lansing partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Lansing.