Effingham, IL vs Rock Island, IL

Effingham, IL and Rock Island, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Effingham scores 68 while Rock Island scores 66 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 $819/month in Rock Island — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Effingham has cheaper rent, Rock Island actually has lower median home values ($118,400 vs $166,700).

Median household income in Effingham is $65,718 compared to $57,292 in Rock Island (+14.7%). While Effingham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Effingham spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.2% in Rock Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.4°F vs 51.2°F). Rock Island receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 36" in Effingham.