Bethalto, IL vs Wilmette, IL

The cost of living difference between Bethalto, IL and Wilmette, IL is dramatic. Bethalto is 54.8% cheaper than Wilmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bethalto has a cost index of 73 while Wilmette sits at 161, 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 Bethalto is $879/month compared to $1,968/month in Wilmette — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bethalto is more affordable at $158,600 median vs $802,200.

Median household income in Bethalto is $66,469 compared to $192,300 in Wilmette (-65.4%). While Wilmette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethalto spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Wilmette.