Dolton, IL vs Marengo, IL

Marengo is moderately more affordable than Dolton, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Dolton scores 90 compared to 85 for Marengo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dolton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dolton is $1,399/month compared to $1,077/month in Marengo — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, Dolton actually has lower median home values ($140,500 vs $206,100).

Median household income in Dolton is $58,706 compared to $72,586 in Marengo (-19.1%). Marengo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dolton spend roughly 28.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Marengo.