Essex, IL vs Lomax, IL

The cost of living difference between Essex, IL and Lomax, IL is dramatic. Lomax is 30.3% cheaper than Essex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Essex has a cost index of 85 while Lomax sits at 65, 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 Essex is $1,147/month compared to $825/month in Lomax — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lomax is more affordable at $81,400 median vs $219,000.

Median household income in Essex is $101,094 compared to $51,875 in Lomax (+94.9%). 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 Essex spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Lomax.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 51.9°F). Lomax receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 33.8" in Essex.