Arcola, IL vs Hampshire, IL

The cost of living difference between Arcola, IL and Hampshire, IL is dramatic. Arcola is 48.6% cheaper than Hampshire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arcola has a cost index of 69 while Hampshire sits at 133, 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 Arcola is $819/month compared to $2,356/month in Hampshire — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arcola is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $316,200.

Median household income in Arcola is $85,697 compared to $107,774 in Hampshire (-20.5%). Hampshire does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcola spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Hampshire.