Gurnee, IL vs Waterloo, IL

The cost of living difference between Gurnee, IL and Waterloo, IL is dramatic. Waterloo is 40.6% cheaper than Gurnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gurnee has a cost index of 111 while Waterloo sits at 79, 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 $873/month in Waterloo — a 83% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $237,900 median vs $331,100.

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $92,005 in Waterloo (+32%). The higher salaries in Gurnee partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gurnee spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, Waterloo is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 48.3°F in Gurnee. Waterloo receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 35.3" in Gurnee.