Geneva, IL vs Marengo, IL

The cost of living difference between Geneva, IL and Marengo, IL is dramatic. Marengo is 46% cheaper than Geneva, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Geneva has a cost index of 125 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 Geneva is $1,805/month compared to $1,077/month in Marengo — a 68% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marengo is more affordable at $206,100 median vs $415,800.

Median household income in Geneva is $136,621 compared to $72,586 in Marengo (+88.2%). While Geneva is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Geneva spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Marengo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 49.4°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 33.2" in Geneva.