Columbia, IL vs Rochester, IL

Columbia, IL and Rochester, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Columbia scores 90 while Rochester scores 92 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 Columbia is $1,089/month compared to $1,333/month in Rochester — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Columbia has cheaper rent, Rochester actually has lower median home values ($241,900 vs $290,100).

Median household income in Columbia is $107,922 compared to $112,689 in Rochester (-4.2%). While Rochester is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 14.2% in Rochester.