Gurnee, IL vs Pontiac, IL

The cost of living difference between Gurnee, IL and Pontiac, IL is dramatic. Pontiac is 65.1% cheaper than Gurnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gurnee has a cost index of 111 while Pontiac sits at 67, 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 Gurnee is $1,594/month compared to $818/month in Pontiac — a 95% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pontiac is more affordable at $110,200 median vs $331,100.

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $59,579 in Pontiac (+103.8%). 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 16.5% in Pontiac.

Climate-wise, Pontiac is notably warmer with an average of 52.3°F compared to 48.3°F in Gurnee. Pontiac receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 35.3" in Gurnee.