Alton, IL vs Olney, IL

Olney is moderately more affordable than Alton, with a 8.1% lower cost of living index. Alton scores 70 compared to 65 for Olney, 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 $769/month in Olney — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olney is more affordable at $96,900 median vs $99,500.

Median household income in Alton is $53,005 compared to $57,997 in Olney (-8.6%). Olney offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Olney.