Marengo, IL vs Rockdale, IL

Marengo, IL and Rockdale, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Marengo scores 85 while Rockdale scores 88 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Marengo is $1,077/month compared to $1,219/month in Rockdale — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, Rockdale actually has lower median home values ($183,500 vs $206,100).

Median household income in Marengo is $72,586 compared to $56,799 in Rockdale (+27.8%). Marengo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marengo spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Rockdale.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 49.4°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 33.8" in Rockdale.