Pekin, IL vs Schaumburg, IL

The cost of living difference between Pekin, IL and Schaumburg, IL is dramatic. Pekin is 43.8% cheaper than Schaumburg, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pekin has a cost index of 65 while Schaumburg sits at 115, 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 Pekin is $792/month compared to $1,774/month in Schaumburg — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pekin is more affordable at $118,200 median vs $312,200.

Median household income in Pekin is $58,355 compared to $94,690 in Schaumburg (-38.4%). The higher salaries in Schaumburg 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 22.5% in Schaumburg.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.7°F vs 51.3°F). Schaumburg receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.6" in Pekin.