Elwood, IL vs McLean, IL

McLean is moderately more affordable than Elwood, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Elwood scores 84 compared to 80 for McLean, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elwood is $986/month compared to $1,225/month in McLean — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elwood has cheaper rent, McLean actually has lower median home values ($124,700 vs $224,900).

Median household income in Elwood is $73,640 compared to $84,766 in McLean (-13.1%). McLean offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elwood spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in McLean.

Climate-wise, McLean is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Elwood. McLean receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 33.8" in Elwood.