Alton, TX vs Carthage, TX

Alton, TX and Carthage, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Alton scores 70 while Carthage scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alton is $981/month compared to $737/month in Carthage — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carthage has cheaper rent, Alton actually has lower median home values ($126,600 vs $153,100).

Median household income in Alton is $48,777 compared to $44,738 in Carthage (+9%). While Alton 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 24.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Carthage.