Fox Lake, IL vs North Chicago, IL

Fox Lake, IL and North Chicago, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Fox Lake scores 86 while North Chicago scores 90 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fox Lake is $1,059/month compared to $1,392/month in North Chicago — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fox Lake has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $219,300).

Median household income in Fox Lake is $69,896 compared to $56,815 in North Chicago (+23%). Fox Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fox Lake spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 29.4% in North Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 48.3°F). North Chicago receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 35.3" in Fox Lake.