Geneseo, IL vs Ottawa, IL

Geneseo, IL and Ottawa, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Geneseo scores 76 while Ottawa scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Geneseo is $952/month compared to $922/month in Ottawa — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottawa is more affordable at $144,500 median vs $196,400.

Median household income in Geneseo is $65,226 compared to $73,011 in Ottawa (-10.7%). Ottawa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Geneseo spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Ottawa.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 49.4°F). Geneseo receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 33.8" in Ottawa.