Illiopolis, IL vs McCook, IL

The cost of living difference between Illiopolis, IL and McCook, IL is dramatic. Illiopolis is 41.4% cheaper than McCook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Illiopolis has a cost index of 60 while McCook sits at 103, 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 Illiopolis is $675/month compared to $1,338/month in McCook — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Illiopolis is more affordable at $96,500 median vs $319,000.

Median household income in Illiopolis is $74,219 compared to $74,464 in McCook (-0.3%). McCook does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Illiopolis spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 21.6% in McCook.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.1°F vs 52.1°F). Illiopolis receives more rainfall at 36.4" per year compared to 34.4" in McCook.