Fox Lake, IL vs Pekin, IL

The cost of living difference between Fox Lake, IL and Pekin, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 32.7% cheaper than Fox Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fox Lake has a cost index of 86 while Pekin 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 Fox Lake is $1,059/month compared to $792/month in Pekin — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $219,300.

Median household income in Fox Lake is $69,896 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (+19.8%). The higher salaries in Fox Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fox Lake spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Pekin.

Climate-wise, Pekin is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 48.3°F in Fox Lake. Pekin receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 35.3" in Fox Lake.