Plainfield, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Plainfield, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 46.8% cheaper than Plainfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Plainfield has a cost index of 126 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 Plainfield is $1,889/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $398,000.

Median household income in Plainfield is $142,265 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+101.6%). While Plainfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Plainfield spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 48.3°F). Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 33.8" in Plainfield.