Gardner, IL vs Hartsburg, IL

Hartsburg is moderately more affordable than Gardner, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Gardner scores 82 compared to 73 for Hartsburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gardner can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gardner is $1,024/month compared to $1,055/month in Hartsburg — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gardner has cheaper rent, Hartsburg actually has lower median home values ($89,500 vs $183,300).

Median household income in Gardner is $82,125 compared to $72,500 in Hartsburg (+13.3%). While Gardner is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardner spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 17.5% in Hartsburg.

Climate-wise, Hartsburg is notably warmer with an average of 54°F compared to 49.4°F in Gardner. Hartsburg receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 33.8" in Gardner.