Athens, IL vs Grafton, IL

Athens, IL and Grafton, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Athens scores 72 while Grafton scores 73 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 Athens is $893/month compared to $617/month in Grafton — a 45% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grafton has cheaper rent, Athens actually has lower median home values ($164,200 vs $254,700).

Median household income in Athens is $85,000 compared to $93,250 in Grafton (-8.8%). While Grafton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, more than the 7.9% in Grafton.