Hamilton, IL vs Island Lake, IL

The cost of living difference between Hamilton, IL and Island Lake, IL is dramatic. Hamilton is 38.2% cheaper than Island Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hamilton has a cost index of 69 while Island Lake sits at 112, 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 Hamilton is $888/month compared to $1,855/month in Island Lake — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hamilton is more affordable at $105,600 median vs $241,900.

Median household income in Hamilton is $53,487 compared to $98,125 in Island Lake (-45.5%). While Island Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hamilton spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Island Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.8°F). Hamilton receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 32.3" in Island Lake.