Effingham, IL vs Sherman, IL

The cost of living difference between Effingham, IL and Sherman, IL is dramatic. Effingham is 33.7% cheaper than Sherman, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Effingham has a cost index of 68 while Sherman sits at 103, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Effingham is $696/month compared to $1,565/month in Sherman — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Effingham is more affordable at $166,700 median vs $291,300.

Median household income in Effingham is $65,718 compared to $147,025 in Sherman (-55.3%). While Sherman 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 12.8% in Sherman.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.4°F vs 54°F). Sherman receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 36" in Effingham.