Carthage, IL vs Salem, IL

Carthage, IL and Salem, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Carthage scores 64 while Salem 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 Carthage is $679/month compared to $752/month in Salem — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carthage has cheaper rent, Salem actually has lower median home values ($99,800 vs $115,600).

Median household income in Carthage is $75,179 compared to $57,083 in Salem (+31.7%). Carthage offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carthage spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 15.8% in Salem.