Essex, IL vs Newton, IL

The cost of living difference between Essex, IL and Newton, IL is dramatic. Newton is 32.3% cheaper than Essex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Essex has a cost index of 85 while Newton sits at 64, 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 $745/month in Newton — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Newton is more affordable at $98,900 median vs $219,000.

Median household income in Essex is $101,094 compared to $58,564 in Newton (+72.6%). 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 15.3% in Newton.

Climate-wise, Newton is notably warmer with an average of 55.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Essex. Newton receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 33.8" in Essex.