Alma, IL vs Mansfield, IL

The cost of living difference between Alma, IL and Mansfield, IL is dramatic. Alma is 30.7% cheaper than Mansfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alma has a cost index of 52 while Mansfield sits at 75, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alma is $483/month compared to $1,057/month in Mansfield — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alma is more affordable at $43,300 median vs $133,600.

Median household income in Alma is $50,500 compared to $72,500 in Mansfield (-30.3%). The higher salaries in Mansfield partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Alma spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 17.5% in Mansfield.