Benton, IL vs Galva, IL

Benton, IL and Galva, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Benton scores 64 while Galva scores 61 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 $777/month in Galva — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Benton has cheaper rent, Galva actually has lower median home values ($77,800 vs $85,100).

Median household income in Benton is $51,349 compared to $55,446 in Galva (-7.4%). Galva 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 16.8% in Galva.