Marengo, IL vs Round Lake Heights, IL

Marengo is moderately more affordable than Round Lake Heights, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Marengo scores 85 compared to 95 for Round Lake Heights, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Round Lake Heights can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Marengo is $1,077/month compared to $1,435/month in Round Lake Heights — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marengo has cheaper rent, Round Lake Heights actually has lower median home values ($196,100 vs $206,100).

Median household income in Marengo is $72,586 compared to $75,556 in Round Lake Heights (-3.9%). Round Lake Heights does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Marengo spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Round Lake Heights.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 48.3°F). Marengo receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 35.3" in Round Lake Heights.