Lake of the Woods, IL vs Mettawa, IL

The cost of living difference between Lake of the Woods, IL and Mettawa, IL is dramatic. Lake of the Woods is 38.8% cheaper than Mettawa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake of the Woods has a cost index of 84 while Mettawa sits at 137, 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.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Lake of the Woods are $194,300 compared to $750,000 in Mettawa, a 74% gap.

Median household income in Lake of the Woods is $69,054 compared to $175,074 in Mettawa (-60.6%). While Mettawa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.1°F vs 50.8°F). Lake of the Woods receives more rainfall at 39.6" per year compared to 32.3" in Mettawa.