Carlinville, IL vs Stockton, IL

Carlinville, IL and Stockton, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Carlinville scores 64 while Stockton scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlinville is $736/month compared to $804/month in Stockton — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carlinville has cheaper rent, Stockton actually has lower median home values ($88,400 vs $108,000).

Median household income in Carlinville is $52,738 compared to $52,800 in Stockton (-0.1%). Stockton does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlinville spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Stockton.