Astoria, IL vs Mason, IL

Astoria, IL and Mason, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Astoria scores 59 while Mason scores 59 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 Astoria is $668/month compared to $588/month in Mason — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mason has cheaper rent, Astoria actually has lower median home values ($63,700 vs $89,300).

Median household income in Astoria is $49,345 compared to $63,472 in Mason (-22.3%). Mason offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Astoria spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Mason.