East St. Louis, IL vs Normal, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. East St. Louis is 28.8% cheaper than Normal. With a cost index of 56 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from East St. Louis to Normal should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East St. Louis is $597/month compared to $974/month in Normal — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East St. Louis is more affordable at $52,700 median vs $199,900.

Median household income in East St. Louis is $30,992 compared to $66,350 in Normal (-53.3%). While Normal 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 17.6% in Normal.

Climate-wise, East St. Louis is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 52.7°F in Normal. East St. Louis receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 37.6" in Normal.