Belvidere, IL vs Hampshire, IL

The cost of living difference between Belvidere, IL and Hampshire, IL is dramatic. Belvidere is 45.4% cheaper than Hampshire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belvidere has a cost index of 73 while Hampshire sits at 133, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belvidere is $943/month compared to $2,356/month in Hampshire — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belvidere is more affordable at $153,100 median vs $316,200.

Median household income in Belvidere is $62,462 compared to $107,774 in Hampshire (-42%). The higher salaries in Hampshire partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Belvidere spend roughly 18.1% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Hampshire.