Galena, IL vs Hampshire, IL

The cost of living difference between Galena, IL and Hampshire, IL is dramatic. Galena is 44.9% cheaper than Hampshire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Galena has a cost index of 73 while Hampshire sits at 133, 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 Galena is $773/month compared to $2,356/month in Hampshire — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Galena is more affordable at $199,700 median vs $316,200.

Median household income in Galena is $55,765 compared to $107,774 in Hampshire (-48.3%). While Hampshire is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Galena spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Hampshire.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 49.7°F). Galena receives more rainfall at 38.2" per year compared to 33.2" in Hampshire.