Bellwood, IL vs Countryside, IL

Bellwood is moderately more affordable than Countryside, with a 8.9% lower cost of living index. Bellwood scores 91 compared to 100 for Countryside, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Countryside can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellwood is $1,221/month compared to $1,212/month in Countryside — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Countryside has cheaper rent, Bellwood actually has lower median home values ($219,600 vs $330,700).

Median household income in Bellwood is $76,990 compared to $78,132 in Countryside (-1.5%). Countryside 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 Bellwood spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 18.6% in Countryside.