Decatur, IL vs North Chicago, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and North Chicago, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 30.8% cheaper than North Chicago, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while North Chicago sits at 90, 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 $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $147,800.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (-10.6%). North Chicago does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in North Chicago.