Bethalto, IL vs Gillespie, IL

Gillespie is moderately more affordable than Bethalto, with a 14.8% lower cost of living index. Bethalto scores 73 compared to 64 for Gillespie, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bethalto 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 $756/month in Gillespie — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gillespie is more affordable at $89,500 median vs $158,600.

Median household income in Bethalto is $66,469 compared to $76,806 in Gillespie (-13.5%). Gillespie 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, more than the 11.8% in Gillespie.