Waukegan, IL vs Wheeling, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waukegan is 17.4% cheaper than Wheeling. With a cost index of 86 vs 104, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Waukegan to Wheeling should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Waukegan is $1,163/month compared to $1,578/month in Wheeling — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $244,600.

Median household income in Waukegan is $70,578 compared to $83,251 in Wheeling (-15.2%). The higher salaries in Wheeling partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Waukegan spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Wheeling.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.8°F). Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Wheeling.