North Chicago, IL vs Plano, IL

North Chicago is moderately more affordable than Plano, with a 11.8% lower cost of living index. North Chicago scores 90 compared to 102 for Plano, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Plano can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in North Chicago is $1,392/month compared to $1,590/month in Plano — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Chicago is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $221,100.

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $83,102 in Plano (-31.6%). While Plano is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of North Chicago spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23% in Plano.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 49.4°F). North Chicago receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 33.8" in Plano.