Countryside, IL vs East St. Louis, IL

The cost of living difference between Countryside, IL and East St. Louis, IL is dramatic. East St. Louis is 79.2% cheaper than Countryside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Countryside has a cost index of 100 while East St. Louis sits at 56, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Countryside is $1,212/month compared to $597/month in East St. Louis — a 103% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East St. Louis is more affordable at $52,700 median vs $330,700.

Median household income in Countryside is $78,132 compared to $30,992 in East St. Louis (+152.1%). While Countryside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Countryside spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in East St. Louis.