East Alton, IL vs Lake of the Woods, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. East Alton is 21.2% cheaper than Lake of the Woods. With a cost index of 66 vs 84, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from East Alton to Lake of the Woods should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Alton is $819/month compared to $1,201/month in Lake of the Woods — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Alton is more affordable at $99,600 median vs $194,300.

Median household income in East Alton is $46,926 compared to $69,054 in Lake of the Woods (-32%). While Lake of the Woods is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Alton spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.9% in Lake of the Woods.