Carmi, IL vs Erie, IL

Carmi, IL and Erie, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Carmi scores 68 while Erie scores 66 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 Carmi is $863/month compared to $740/month in Erie — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Erie has cheaper rent, Carmi actually has lower median home values ($98,700 vs $147,300).

Median household income in Carmi is $47,051 compared to $86,750 in Erie (-45.8%). Erie offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carmi spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Erie.