Poplar Grove, IL vs Walnut, IL

The cost of living difference between Poplar Grove, IL and Walnut, IL is dramatic. Walnut is 62.1% 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 Walnut sits at 59, 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 $591/month in Walnut — a 144% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Walnut is more affordable at $94,700 median vs $253,500.

Median household income in Poplar Grove is $93,409 compared to $62,019 in Walnut (+50.6%). The higher salaries in Poplar Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Poplar Grove spend roughly 18.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.4% in Walnut.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 47.8°F). Walnut receives more rainfall at 37.4" per year compared to 37.2" in Poplar Grove.