Bethalto, IL vs Chicago Heights, IL

Bethalto is moderately more affordable than Chicago Heights, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Bethalto scores 73 compared to 80 for Chicago Heights, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Chicago Heights can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bethalto is $879/month compared to $1,035/month in Chicago Heights — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bethalto has cheaper rent, Chicago Heights actually has lower median home values ($149,900 vs $158,600).

Median household income in Bethalto is $66,469 compared to $57,479 in Chicago Heights (+15.6%). Bethalto offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethalto spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 21.6% in Chicago Heights.