Effingham, IL vs Staunton, IL

Effingham, IL and Staunton, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Effingham scores 68 while Staunton 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 $805/month in Staunton — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Effingham has cheaper rent, Staunton actually has lower median home values ($139,500 vs $166,700).

Median household income in Effingham is $65,718 compared to $65,435 in Staunton (+0.4%). 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 14.8% in Staunton.

Climate-wise, Staunton is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 53.4°F in Effingham. Staunton receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 36" in Effingham.