Oak Park, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Oak Park, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 37% cheaper than Oak Park, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oak Park has a cost index of 117 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 Oak Park is $1,456/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $456,300.

Median household income in Oak Park is $108,026 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+53.1%). While Oak Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Park spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, Oak Park is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 48.3°F in Waukegan. Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 34.4" in Oak Park.