Forrest, IL vs Newton, IL

Forrest, IL and Newton, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Forrest scores 62 while Newton scores 64 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 Forrest is $663/month compared to $745/month in Newton — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Forrest has cheaper rent, Newton actually has lower median home values ($98,900 vs $104,000).

Median household income in Forrest is $70,417 compared to $58,564 in Newton (+20.2%). Forrest offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Forrest spend roughly 11.3% of their income on rent, less than the 15.3% in Newton.

Climate-wise, Newton is notably warmer with an average of 55.7°F compared to 52.3°F in Forrest. Newton receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 40.4" in Forrest.