East Gillespie, IL vs Essex, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. East Gillespie is 19% cheaper than Essex. With a cost index of 69 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from East Gillespie to Essex should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Gillespie is $840/month compared to $1,147/month in Essex — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Gillespie is more affordable at $125,000 median vs $219,000.

Median household income in East Gillespie is $64,167 compared to $101,094 in Essex (-36.5%). While Essex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Gillespie spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Essex.