Brighton, IL vs Marengo, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Brighton is 15.4% cheaper than Marengo. With a cost index of 72 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Brighton to Marengo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brighton is $955/month compared to $1,077/month in Marengo — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brighton is more affordable at $123,000 median vs $206,100.

Median household income in Brighton is $74,327 compared to $72,586 in Marengo (+2.4%). Brighton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brighton spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Marengo.