City Comparison
Champaign vs Skokie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Champaign scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Skokie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Skokie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
29% lower than Skokie's.
| Metric | Champaign | Skokie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,750 | -29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,685 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Skokie offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Champaign delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $62,000 in Skokie.
| Metric | Champaign | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $85,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Champaign comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 9.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 51.20°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 18.10°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 33.50 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 28.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Skokie.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Champaign is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Skokie.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Skokie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 67,824 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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