Altona, IL vs Thomson, IL

Altona is moderately more affordable than Thomson, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Altona scores 67 compared to 72 for Thomson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Thomson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Altona is $944/month compared to $940/month in Thomson — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thomson has cheaper rent, Altona actually has lower median home values ($89,200 vs $122,300).

Median household income in Altona is $67,125 compared to $54,063 in Thomson (+24.2%). Altona offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Altona spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.9% in Thomson.