Decatur, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Decatur, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Decatur is 61.3% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 62 while Wilmette sits at 161, 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 $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-73.6%). While Wilmette 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 12.3% in Wilmette.