Decatur, IL vs Oak Forest, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Oak Forest, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 34.4% cheaper than Oak Forest, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Oak Forest sits at 95, 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 $1,287/month in Oak Forest — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $247,800.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $87,941 in Oak Forest (-42.2%). While Oak Forest 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 17.6% in Oak Forest.