Alton, IL vs Des Plaines, IL

The cost of living difference between Alton, IL and Des Plaines, IL is dramatic. Alton is 33.5% cheaper than Des Plaines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alton has a cost index of 70 while Des Plaines sits at 105, 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 Alton is $948/month compared to $1,435/month in Des Plaines — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alton is more affordable at $99,500 median vs $318,200.

Median household income in Alton is $53,005 compared to $94,303 in Des Plaines (-43.8%). While Des Plaines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Des Plaines.