Elwood, IL vs Pontoon Beach, IL

Pontoon Beach is moderately more affordable than Elwood, with a 7.4% lower cost of living index. Elwood scores 84 compared to 78 for Pontoon Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elwood is $986/month compared to $1,117/month in Pontoon Beach — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elwood has cheaper rent, Pontoon Beach actually has lower median home values ($137,900 vs $224,900).

Median household income in Elwood is $73,640 compared to $59,375 in Pontoon Beach (+24%). While Elwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elwood spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Pontoon Beach.

Climate-wise, Pontoon Beach is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 49.4°F in Elwood. Pontoon Beach receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 33.8" in Elwood.