Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 48.2% of median family income in DuPage County, IL and 46.4% in Lake County, IL. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
DuPage County, IL vs Lake County, IL: Cost of Living Difference
Lake County, IL is cheaper than DuPage County, IL for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Lake County, IL is cheaper than DuPage County, IL.
Cheaper place
Lake County, ILSave about $4,150 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Lake County, IL is estimated to save $4,150 per year.
AnnualSave about $4,150 per year.
MonthlySave about $346 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in DuPage County, IL is about $46,845 in Lake County, IL.
Biggest drivers
Transport increases by $623 per year. Housing saves $2,414 per year.
DuPage County, IL→Lake County, IL
Equivalent salary in Lake County, IL
$46,845
-6.31% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in DuPage County, IL: $136,376
Median Income in Lake County, IL: $132,828
annual living index in DuPage County, IL 48.23%
annual living index in Lake County, IL 46.39%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from DuPage County, IL to Lake County, IL.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Lake County, IL compared with DuPage County, IL.
| Category | DuPage County, IL | Lake County, IL | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $20,251 | $17,837 | -$2,414(-11.92%) | -$201 | Lower in Lake County, IL |
| Taxes | $15,228 | $13,795 | -$1,433(-9.41%) | -$119 | Lower in Lake County, IL |
| Other Costs | $7,770 | $6,978 | -$792(-10.19%) | -$66 | Lower in Lake County, IL |
| Transport | $12,693 | $13,316 | +$623(4.91%) | +$52 | Higher in Lake County, IL |
| Food | $4,777 | $4,639 | -$138(-2.89%) | -$12 | Lower in Lake County, IL |
| Healthcare | $5,054 | $5,060 | +$6(0.12%) | +$1 | Higher in Lake County, IL |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between DuPage County, IL and Lake County, IL, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $2,414 per year lower in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Lake County, IL changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $138 per year lower in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Lake County, IL can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $623 per year higher in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Lake County, IL.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $6 per year higher in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Lake County, IL changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $792 per year lower in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Lake County, IL help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in DuPage County, IL and Lake County, IL, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Lake County, IL, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $1,433 per year lower in Lake County, IL than in DuPage County, IL. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Lake County, IL matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, DuPage County, IL or Lake County, IL?
Lake County, IL is cheaper than DuPage County, IL by about $4,150 per year.
How much salary is needed in Lake County, IL?
A $50,000 salary in DuPage County, IL is modeled as roughly equivalent to $46,845 in Lake County, IL for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this DuPage County, IL vs Lake County, IL comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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