Lombard, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Lombard, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 37.5% cheaper than Lombard, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lombard has a cost index of 118 while Waukegan sits at 86, 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 Lombard is $1,834/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $321,200.

Median household income in Lombard is $97,253 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+37.8%). While Lombard is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lombard spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, Lombard is notably warmer with an average of 51.3°F compared to 48.3°F in Waukegan. Lombard receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 35.3" in Waukegan.