Athens, IL vs Monticello, IL

Athens is moderately more affordable than Monticello, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 72 compared to 79 for Monticello, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Monticello can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $893/month compared to $1,030/month in Monticello — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athens is more affordable at $164,200 median vs $196,000.

Median household income in Athens is $85,000 compared to $88,611 in Monticello (-4.1%). Monticello 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 Athens spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 13.9% in Monticello.