Garrett, IL vs Ste. Marie, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ste. Marie is 25.5% cheaper than Garrett. With a cost index of 50 vs 63, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Ste. Marie to Garrett should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Garrett is $770/month compared to $263/month in Ste. Marie — a 193% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ste. Marie has cheaper rent, Garrett actually has lower median home values ($95,000 vs $103,900).

Median household income in Garrett is $68,214 compared to $80,417 in Ste. Marie (-15.2%). Ste. Marie offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Garrett spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, more than the 3.9% in Ste. Marie.

Climate-wise, Ste. Marie is notably warmer with an average of 55.7°F compared to 51.1°F in Garrett. Ste. Marie receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 39.6" in Garrett.