Astoria, IL vs Melvin, IL

Astoria, IL and Melvin, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Astoria scores 59 while Melvin scores 62 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 $817/month in Melvin — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Astoria has cheaper rent, Melvin actually has lower median home values ($62,000 vs $63,700).

Median household income in Astoria is $49,345 compared to $35,000 in Melvin (+41%). Astoria 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, less than the 28% in Melvin.