East Alton, IL vs Mount Sterling, IL

East Alton, IL and Mount Sterling, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. East Alton scores 66 while Mount Sterling 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 $712/month in Mount Sterling — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Sterling has cheaper rent, East Alton actually has lower median home values ($99,600 vs $118,100).

Median household income in East Alton is $46,926 compared to $63,922 in Mount Sterling (-26.6%). Mount Sterling 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 13.4% in Mount Sterling.