Beardstown, IL vs Merrionette Park, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Beardstown is 25% cheaper than Merrionette Park. With a cost index of 64 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Beardstown to Merrionette Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Beardstown is $769/month compared to $1,197/month in Merrionette Park — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beardstown is more affordable at $80,800 median vs $152,600.

Median household income in Beardstown is $58,765 compared to $53,623 in Merrionette Park (+9.6%). Beardstown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Beardstown spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Merrionette Park.