East Alton, IL vs Mattoon, IL

East Alton, IL and Mattoon, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. East Alton scores 66 while Mattoon scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Alton is $819/month compared to $764/month in Mattoon — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mattoon is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $99,600.

Median household income in East Alton is $46,926 compared to $47,308 in Mattoon (-0.8%). Mattoon 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 19.4% in Mattoon.