Springfield, IL vs Waukegan, IL

Springfield is moderately more affordable than Waukegan, with a 14.7% lower cost of living index. Springfield scores 73 compared to 86 for Waukegan, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waukegan can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Springfield is $945/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Springfield is more affordable at $155,200 median vs $177,600.

Median household income in Springfield is $65,537 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (-7.1%). Waukegan does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Springfield spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, Springfield is notably warmer with an average of 54°F compared to 48.3°F in Waukegan. Springfield receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 35.3" in Waukegan.