Alton, IL vs Mount Prospect, IL

The cost of living difference between Alton, IL and Mount Prospect, IL is dramatic. Alton is 36.7% cheaper than Mount Prospect, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alton has a cost index of 70 while Mount Prospect sits at 111, 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 $1,454/month in Mount Prospect — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alton is more affordable at $99,500 median vs $377,000.

Median household income in Alton is $53,005 compared to $103,911 in Mount Prospect (-49%). While Mount Prospect 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 16.8% in Mount Prospect.