North Chicago, IL vs Waterloo, IL

Waterloo is moderately more affordable than North Chicago, with a 13.9% lower cost of living index. North Chicago scores 90 compared to 79 for Waterloo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Chicago 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 $873/month in Waterloo — a 60% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waterloo has cheaper rent, North Chicago actually has lower median home values ($147,800 vs $237,900).

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $92,005 in Waterloo (-38.2%). Waterloo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of North Chicago spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, Waterloo is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 48.3°F in North Chicago. Waterloo receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 35.3" in North Chicago.