Marengo, IL vs Seneca, IL

Marengo, IL and Seneca, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Marengo scores 85 while Seneca scores 83 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 $988/month in Seneca — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Seneca has cheaper rent, Marengo actually has lower median home values ($206,100 vs $206,400).

Median household income in Marengo is $72,586 compared to $91,065 in Seneca (-20.3%). Seneca 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, more than the 13% in Seneca.

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 Seneca.