Effingham, IL vs Paxton, IL

Effingham, IL and Paxton, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Effingham scores 68 while Paxton scores 69 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 Effingham is $696/month compared to $922/month in Paxton — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Effingham has cheaper rent, Paxton actually has lower median home values ($116,700 vs $166,700).

Median household income in Effingham is $65,718 compared to $60,470 in Paxton (+8.7%). Effingham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Effingham spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Paxton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.4°F vs 52.3°F). Paxton receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 36" in Effingham.