Essex, IL vs New Douglas, IL

The cost of living difference between Essex, IL and New Douglas, IL is dramatic. New Douglas is 35.9% cheaper than Essex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Essex has a cost index of 85 while New Douglas sits at 63, 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 $738/month in New Douglas — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Douglas is more affordable at $85,500 median vs $219,000.

Median household income in Essex is $101,094 compared to $48,500 in New Douglas (+108.4%). 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 18.3% in New Douglas.

Climate-wise, New Douglas is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Essex. New Douglas receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 33.8" in Essex.