DeKalb, IL vs Waukegan, IL

DeKalb, IL and Waukegan, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. DeKalb scores 84 while Waukegan scores 86 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in DeKalb is $1,030/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while DeKalb has cheaper rent, Waukegan actually has lower median home values ($177,600 vs $202,900).

Median household income in DeKalb is $46,564 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-34%). While Waukegan is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of DeKalb spend roughly 26.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Waukegan.