Athens, IL vs Pontoon Beach, IL

Athens is moderately more affordable than Pontoon Beach, with a 7.8% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 72 compared to 78 for Pontoon Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pontoon Beach 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 $1,117/month in Pontoon Beach — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Athens has cheaper rent, Pontoon Beach actually has lower median home values ($137,900 vs $164,200).

Median household income in Athens is $85,000 compared to $59,375 in Pontoon Beach (+43.2%). Athens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Pontoon Beach.