Oak Lawn, IL vs Springfield, IL

The cost of living difference between Oak Lawn, IL and Springfield, IL is dramatic. Springfield is 33.4% cheaper than Oak Lawn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oak Lawn has a cost index of 98 while Springfield sits at 73, 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 Oak Lawn is $1,310/month compared to $945/month in Springfield — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Springfield is more affordable at $155,200 median vs $267,900.

Median household income in Oak Lawn is $82,493 compared to $65,537 in Springfield (+25.9%). The higher salaries in Oak Lawn partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Lawn spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Springfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 54°F). Springfield receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 34.4" in Oak Lawn.