Forreston, IL vs South Jacksonville, IL

Forreston, IL and South Jacksonville, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Forreston scores 67 while South Jacksonville 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 Forreston is $783/month compared to $631/month in South Jacksonville — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Jacksonville has cheaper rent, Forreston actually has lower median home values ($116,500 vs $137,100).

Median household income in Forreston is $68,042 compared to $53,438 in South Jacksonville (+27.3%). While Forreston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Forreston spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 14.2% in South Jacksonville.

Climate-wise, South Jacksonville is notably warmer with an average of 54°F compared to 49.4°F in Forreston. South Jacksonville receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 37.2" in Forreston.