Gurnee, IL vs Summit, IL

The cost of living difference between Gurnee, IL and Summit, IL is dramatic. Summit is 31% cheaper than Gurnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gurnee has a cost index of 111 while Summit 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 Gurnee is $1,594/month compared to $1,012/month in Summit — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Summit is more affordable at $224,800 median vs $331,100.

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $60,417 in Summit (+101%). 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 20.1% in Summit.

Climate-wise, Summit is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 48.3°F in Gurnee. Gurnee receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 34.4" in Summit.