Frankfort, IL vs Marengo, IL

The cost of living difference between Frankfort, IL and Marengo, IL is dramatic. Marengo is 63.5% cheaper than Frankfort, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Frankfort has a cost index of 140 while Marengo sits at 85, 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 Frankfort is $2,175/month compared to $1,077/month in Marengo — a 102% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marengo is more affordable at $206,100 median vs $461,600.

Median household income in Frankfort is $153,714 compared to $72,586 in Marengo (+111.8%). While Frankfort is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Frankfort spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Marengo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 49.4°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 34.4" in Frankfort.