Gurnee, IL vs Palatine, IL

Gurnee, IL and Palatine, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Gurnee scores 111 while Palatine scores 109 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 Gurnee is $1,594/month compared to $1,467/month in Palatine — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Palatine has cheaper rent, Gurnee actually has lower median home values ($331,100 vs $347,900).

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $95,950 in Palatine (+26.5%). While Gurnee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gurnee spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Palatine.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.8°F). Gurnee receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Palatine.