Alton, IL vs Decatur, IL

Decatur is moderately more affordable than Alton, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Alton scores 70 compared to 62 for Decatur, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Alton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alton is $948/month compared to $796/month in Decatur — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $99,500.

Median household income in Alton is $53,005 compared to $50,809 in Decatur (+4.3%). Alton does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Decatur.