Benton, IL vs Carthage, IL

Benton, IL and Carthage, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Benton scores 64 while Carthage scores 64 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 Benton is $776/month compared to $679/month in Carthage — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carthage has cheaper rent, Benton actually has lower median home values ($85,100 vs $115,600).

Median household income in Benton is $51,349 compared to $75,179 in Carthage (-31.7%). Carthage offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Benton spend roughly 18.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.8% in Carthage.