Lincolnwood, IL vs Rock Island, IL

The cost of living difference between Lincolnwood, IL and Rock Island, IL is dramatic. Rock Island is 175.3% cheaper than Lincolnwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lincolnwood has a cost index of 181 while Rock Island 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 Lincolnwood is $3,501/month compared to $819/month in Rock Island — a 328% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rock Island is more affordable at $118,400 median vs $475,400.

Median household income in Lincolnwood is $107,950 compared to $57,292 in Rock Island (+88.4%). The higher salaries in Lincolnwood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincolnwood spend roughly 38.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Rock Island. The Rock Island ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 51.2°F). Rock Island receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 37.9" in Lincolnwood.