East Alton, IL vs Jonesboro, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Jonesboro is 21.3% cheaper than East Alton. With a cost index of 55 vs 66, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Jonesboro to East Alton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Alton is $819/month compared to $498/month in Jonesboro — a 65% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jonesboro has cheaper rent, East Alton actually has lower median home values ($99,600 vs $114,400).

Median household income in East Alton is $46,926 compared to $58,309 in Jonesboro (-19.5%). Jonesboro offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Alton spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Jonesboro.