Machesney Park, IL vs Oak Park, IL

The cost of living difference between Machesney Park, IL and Oak Park, IL is dramatic. Machesney Park is 33.1% cheaper than Oak Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Machesney Park has a cost index of 79 while Oak Park sits at 117, 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 Machesney Park is $1,109/month compared to $1,456/month in Oak Park — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Machesney Park is more affordable at $162,500 median vs $456,300.

Median household income in Machesney Park is $74,244 compared to $108,026 in Oak Park (-31.3%). The higher salaries in Oak Park partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Machesney Park spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Oak Park.

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