Decatur, IL vs New Lenox, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and New Lenox, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 40.3% cheaper than New Lenox, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while New Lenox sits at 105, 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 $1,244/month in New Lenox — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $377,500.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $133,071 in New Lenox (-61.8%). While New Lenox 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 11.2% in New Lenox.