Northbrook, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Northbrook, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 86.1% cheaper than Northbrook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Northbrook has a cost index of 159 while Waukegan sits at 86, 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 $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 101% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $644,100.

Median household income in Northbrook is $155,321 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+120.1%). 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 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 48.3°F). Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Northbrook.