Gages Lake, IL vs Pekin, IL

The cost of living difference between Gages Lake, IL and Pekin, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 73.7% cheaper than Gages Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gages Lake has a cost index of 113 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 Gages Lake is $1,741/month compared to $792/month in Pekin — a 120% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $291,200.

Median household income in Gages Lake is $105,114 compared to $58,355 in Pekin (+80.1%). While Gages 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 Gages Lake spend roughly 19.9% 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 Gages Lake. Pekin receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 35.3" in Gages Lake.