Rock Island, IL vs Waukegan, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rock Island is 23.3% cheaper than Waukegan. With a cost index of 66 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rock Island to Waukegan should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rock Island is $819/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rock Island is more affordable at $118,400 median vs $177,600.

Median household income in Rock Island is $57,292 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-18.8%). The higher salaries in Waukegan partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Rock Island spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 48.3°F). Rock Island receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 35.3" in Waukegan.