Cowden, IL vs Oblong, IL

Oblong is moderately more affordable than Cowden, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Cowden scores 63 compared to 56 for Oblong, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cowden can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cowden is $767/month compared to $532/month in Oblong — a 44% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oblong has cheaper rent, Cowden actually has lower median home values ($76,200 vs $78,400).

Median household income in Cowden is $42,083 compared to $52,702 in Oblong (-20.1%). Oblong offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cowden spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Oblong.