Rock Falls, IL vs West Chicago, IL

The cost of living difference between Rock Falls, IL and West Chicago, IL is dramatic. Rock Falls is 38.7% cheaper than West Chicago, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Rock Falls has a cost index of 63 while West Chicago sits at 103, 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 Rock Falls is $745/month compared to $1,376/month in West Chicago — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rock Falls is more affordable at $82,400 median vs $306,500.

Median household income in Rock Falls is $48,733 compared to $100,568 in West Chicago (-51.5%). While West Chicago is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Rock Falls spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in West Chicago.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 49.7°F). Rock Falls receives more rainfall at 37.2" per year compared to 33.2" in West Chicago.