Creston, IL vs Oblong, IL

The cost of living difference between Creston, IL and Oblong, IL is dramatic. Oblong is 37.9% cheaper than Creston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Creston has a cost index of 77 while Oblong 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 Creston is $933/month compared to $532/month in Oblong — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oblong is more affordable at $78,400 median vs $162,000.

Median household income in Creston is $67,212 compared to $52,702 in Oblong (+27.5%). The higher salaries in Creston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Creston spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Oblong.