Island Lake, IL vs Lena, IL

The cost of living difference between Island Lake, IL and Lena, IL is dramatic. Lena is 70% cheaper than Island Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Island Lake has a cost index of 112 while Lena sits at 66, 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 Island Lake is $1,855/month compared to $647/month in Lena — a 187% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lena is more affordable at $154,000 median vs $241,900.

Median household income in Island Lake is $98,125 compared to $76,076 in Lena (+29%). Island Lake 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 Island Lake spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Lena.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 49.4°F). Lena receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 32.3" in Island Lake.