Elmwood, IL vs Kirkwood, IL

Elmwood, IL and Kirkwood, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Elmwood scores 66 while Kirkwood scores 67 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 Elmwood is $761/month compared to $850/month in Kirkwood — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elmwood has cheaper rent, Kirkwood actually has lower median home values ($89,500 vs $144,600).

Median household income in Elmwood is $87,644 compared to $70,385 in Kirkwood (+24.5%). Elmwood offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elmwood spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Kirkwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.7°F vs 51.9°F). Kirkwood receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 37.6" in Elmwood.