Freeport, IL vs Island Lake, IL

The cost of living difference between Freeport, IL and Island Lake, IL is dramatic. Freeport is 43.1% cheaper than Island Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Freeport has a cost index of 64 while Island Lake sits at 112, 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 $1,855/month in Island Lake — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Freeport is more affordable at $86,100 median vs $241,900.

Median household income in Freeport is $48,181 compared to $98,125 in Island Lake (-50.9%). While Island Lake 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 22.7% in Island Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.8°F). Freeport receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Island Lake.