Elmhurst, IL vs Mattoon, IL

The cost of living difference between Elmhurst, IL and Mattoon, IL is dramatic. Mattoon is 111.1% cheaper than Elmhurst, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elmhurst has a cost index of 136 while Mattoon sits at 65, 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 Elmhurst is $1,877/month compared to $764/month in Mattoon — a 146% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mattoon is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $532,800.

Median household income in Elmhurst is $145,374 compared to $47,308 in Mattoon (+207.3%). While Elmhurst is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elmhurst spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Mattoon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 53.4°F). Elmhurst receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 36" in Mattoon.