Gilman, IL vs Watseka, IL

Gilman, IL and Watseka, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Gilman scores 64 while Watseka scores 67 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 Gilman is $702/month compared to $815/month in Watseka — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilman has cheaper rent, Watseka actually has lower median home values ($104,400 vs $108,900).

Median household income in Gilman is $65,729 compared to $42,794 in Watseka (+53.6%). Gilman offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilman spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.9% in Watseka.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.3°F vs 52.3°F). Watseka receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 40.4" in Gilman.