East St. Louis, IL vs Monticello, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. East St. Louis is 29.6% cheaper than Monticello. With a cost index of 56 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from East St. Louis to Monticello should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East St. Louis is $597/month compared to $1,030/month in Monticello — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East St. Louis is more affordable at $52,700 median vs $196,000.

Median household income in East St. Louis is $30,992 compared to $88,611 in Monticello (-65%). While Monticello 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 St. Louis spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Monticello.

Climate-wise, East St. Louis is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 51.1°F in Monticello. East St. Louis receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 39.6" in Monticello.