Braidwood, IL vs Mason City, IL

The cost of living difference between Braidwood, IL and Mason City, IL is dramatic. Mason City is 32% cheaper than Braidwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Braidwood has a cost index of 86 while Mason City sits at 65, 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 Braidwood is $1,089/month compared to $785/month in Mason City — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $92,200 median vs $205,900.

Median household income in Braidwood is $83,365 compared to $64,250 in Mason City (+29.8%). The higher salaries in Braidwood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Braidwood spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Mason City.