East Moline, IL vs Salem, IL

East Moline, IL and Salem, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. East Moline scores 67 while Salem 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 Moline is $826/month compared to $752/month in Salem — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $135,300.

Median household income in East Moline is $63,328 compared to $57,083 in Salem (+10.9%). While East Moline 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 Moline spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 15.8% in Salem.