Pekin, IL vs Pontiac, IL

Pekin, IL and Pontiac, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Pekin scores 65 while Pontiac scores 67 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Pekin is $792/month compared to $818/month in Pontiac — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pekin has cheaper rent, Pontiac actually has lower median home values ($110,200 vs $118,200).

Median household income in Pekin is $58,355 compared to $59,579 in Pontiac (-2.1%). The higher salaries in Pontiac partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Pekin spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Pontiac.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.7°F vs 52.3°F). Pontiac receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 37.6" in Pekin.