Poplar Grove, IL vs Rantoul, IL

The cost of living difference between Poplar Grove, IL and Rantoul, IL is dramatic. Rantoul is 41.4% cheaper than Poplar Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Poplar Grove has a cost index of 96 while Rantoul sits at 68, 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 Poplar Grove is $1,443/month compared to $899/month in Rantoul — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rantoul is more affordable at $109,200 median vs $253,500.

Median household income in Poplar Grove is $93,409 compared to $49,821 in Rantoul (+87.5%). While Poplar Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Poplar Grove spend roughly 18.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Rantoul.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 52.3°F). Rantoul receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 37.2" in Poplar Grove.