Atkinson, IL vs Baldwin, IL

Atkinson, IL and Baldwin, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Atkinson scores 63 while Baldwin scores 66 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 Atkinson is $725/month compared to $838/month in Baldwin — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atkinson has cheaper rent, Baldwin actually has lower median home values ($85,000 vs $116,900).

Median household income in Atkinson is $53,712 compared to $50,000 in Baldwin (+7.4%). Atkinson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Atkinson spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Baldwin.