Northbrook, IL vs Rantoul, IL

The cost of living difference between Northbrook, IL and Rantoul, IL is dramatic. Rantoul is 134.6% cheaper than Northbrook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Northbrook has a cost index of 159 while Rantoul sits at 68, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Northbrook is $2,334/month compared to $899/month in Rantoul — a 160% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rantoul is more affordable at $109,200 median vs $644,100.

Median household income in Northbrook is $155,321 compared to $49,821 in Rantoul (+211.8%). While Northbrook is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Northbrook spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Rantoul.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 52.3°F). Rantoul receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 32.3" in Northbrook.