Chillicothe, IL vs Mason City, IL

Chillicothe, IL and Mason City, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Chillicothe scores 66 while Mason City 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 Chillicothe is $798/month compared to $785/month in Mason City — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mason City is more affordable at $92,200 median vs $128,500.

Median household income in Chillicothe is $62,108 compared to $64,250 in Mason City (-3.3%). Mason City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chillicothe spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Mason City.