Normal, IL vs Ottawa, IL

Ottawa is moderately more affordable than Normal, with a 6.5% lower cost of living index. Normal scores 78 compared to 73 for Ottawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Normal can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Normal is $974/month compared to $922/month in Ottawa — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottawa is more affordable at $144,500 median vs $199,900.

Median household income in Normal is $66,350 compared to $73,011 in Ottawa (-9.1%). Ottawa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Normal spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Ottawa.

Climate-wise, Normal is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Ottawa. Normal receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 33.8" in Ottawa.