Cahokia Heights, IL vs Vandalia, IL

Vandalia is moderately more affordable than Cahokia Heights, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Cahokia Heights scores 67 compared to 63 for Vandalia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cahokia Heights can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cahokia Heights is $959/month compared to $738/month in Vandalia — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Vandalia has cheaper rent, Cahokia Heights actually has lower median home values ($56,900 vs $88,800).

Median household income in Cahokia Heights is $37,975 compared to $43,184 in Vandalia (-12.1%). Vandalia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cahokia Heights spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 20.5% in Vandalia. The Vandalia ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.