Lena, IL vs Oak Brook, IL

The cost of living difference between Lena, IL and Oak Brook, IL is dramatic. Lena is 66.3% cheaper than Oak Brook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lena has a cost index of 66 while Oak Brook sits at 196, 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 Lena is $647/month compared to $2,921/month in Oak Brook — a 78% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lena is more affordable at $154,000 median vs $867,900.

Median household income in Lena is $76,076 compared to $171,123 in Oak Brook (-55.5%). The higher salaries in Oak Brook partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lena spend roughly 10.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Oak Brook.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 52.1°F). Lena receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 34.4" in Oak Brook.