Lake of the Woods, IL vs Metropolis, IL

The cost of living difference between Lake of the Woods, IL and Metropolis, IL is dramatic. Metropolis is 39.4% cheaper than Lake of the Woods, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake of the Woods has a cost index of 84 while Metropolis sits at 60, 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 Lake of the Woods is $1,201/month compared to $748/month in Metropolis — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Metropolis is more affordable at $93,700 median vs $194,300.

Median household income in Lake of the Woods is $69,054 compared to $51,548 in Metropolis (+34%). The higher salaries in Lake of the Woods partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake of the Woods spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Metropolis.

Climate-wise, Metropolis is notably warmer with an average of 58.8°F compared to 51.1°F in Lake of the Woods. Metropolis receives more rainfall at 50.3" per year compared to 39.6" in Lake of the Woods.