Caledonia, IL vs Thayer, IL

The cost of living difference between Caledonia, IL and Thayer, IL is dramatic. Thayer is 44.6% cheaper than Caledonia, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Caledonia has a cost index of 97 while Thayer sits at 67, 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 Caledonia is $1,706/month compared to $919/month in Thayer — a 86% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Thayer is more affordable at $87,300 median vs $161,800.

Median household income in Caledonia is $86,513 compared to $63,125 in Thayer (+37.1%). The higher salaries in Caledonia partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Caledonia spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Thayer.