Freeport, IL vs Hillside, IL

The cost of living difference between Freeport, IL and Hillside, IL is dramatic. Freeport is 31.8% cheaper than Hillside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Freeport has a cost index of 64 while Hillside sits at 93, 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 Freeport is $760/month compared to $1,265/month in Hillside — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Freeport is more affordable at $86,100 median vs $233,800.

Median household income in Freeport is $48,181 compared to $70,772 in Hillside (-31.9%). While Hillside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Freeport spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 21.4% in Hillside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 51.3°F). Hillside receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.2" in Freeport.