Belleville, IL vs Forest Park, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Belleville is 28% cheaper than Forest Park. With a cost index of 73 vs 101, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Belleville to Forest Park should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Belleville is $947/month compared to $1,352/month in Forest Park — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belleville is more affordable at $131,000 median vs $293,800.

Median household income in Belleville is $60,529 compared to $81,323 in Forest Park (-25.6%). The higher salaries in Forest Park partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Belleville spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Forest Park.