Olney, IL vs West Chicago, IL

The cost of living difference between Olney, IL and West Chicago, IL is dramatic. Olney is 36.9% cheaper than West Chicago, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Olney has a cost index of 65 while West Chicago sits at 103, 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 Olney is $769/month compared to $1,376/month in West Chicago — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olney is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $306,500.

Median household income in Olney is $57,997 compared to $100,568 in West Chicago (-42.3%). While West Chicago is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Olney spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in West Chicago.

Climate-wise, Olney is notably warmer with an average of 55.7°F compared to 49.7°F in West Chicago. Olney receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 33.2" in West Chicago.