2025 Compare Cities Overview:
DeKalb, IL vs Ottawa, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Ottawa older or younger than people in DeKalb?
- The Median Age in Ottawa is 14.6 years older than in DeKalb.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ottawa or DeKalb?
- Ottawa housing costs are 26.7% less expensive than DeKalb housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ottawa or DeKalb?
- The average commute for residents of Ottawa is 1.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of DeKalb.

Things to do in DeKalb?
DeKalb, Illinois sits within DeKalb County providing visitors great culture attractions from Egyptian Theater to Northern Illinois University Convocation Center as well as plenty of restaurants like Kishwaukee Tap.

Things to do in Ottawa?
Ottawa, IL is an inviting town northwest of Chicago full of amazing places to explore like La Salle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area displaying its distinctive landscape or Canal Corridor Association hosting outdoor activities; their annual event Ottawa Two Rivers Wine Festival brings people together with food and games every April.

 DeKalb, ILOttawa, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock18,719329,725,481
 Median Income$45,591  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$206,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.06  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Dekalb    2 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

While I love the cheaper rents then in the closer suburbs (to Chicago), the lack of high paying jobs for anyone without high degrees (Masters or higher) is  More

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As a 37 year resident of DeKalb - an escapee of the Chicago suburbs, I am pleased to write a bit about my hometown. Originally a college town in a farming community,  More

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Reviews for Ottawa    6 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

Have all of the radiation sites been cleaned up? If not, did the tornado stir up and blast some radiation from these sites to other  More

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Over 11 years ago

Good location with low cost of living and close enough to Chicago and suburbs to take advantage of their  More

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Over 15 years ago

Although Ottawa is a very nice place to live, living here is becoming rediculous...as taxes go. I bought a house less then four years ago and my taxed went from  More

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