Elsah, IL vs New Athens, IL

The cost of living difference between Elsah, IL and New Athens, IL is dramatic. New Athens is 43.6% cheaper than Elsah, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elsah has a cost index of 102 while New Athens sits at 71, 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 Elsah is $1,708/month compared to $927/month in New Athens — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Athens is more affordable at $118,100 median vs $207,100.

Median household income in Elsah is $83,750 compared to $61,477 in New Athens (+36.2%). The higher salaries in Elsah partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Elsah spend roughly 24.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in New Athens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.1°F vs 57.7°F). New Athens receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 39.4" in Elsah.