Golden, IL vs Lexington, IL

Golden, IL and Lexington, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Golden scores 66 while Lexington scores 69 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 Golden is $713/month compared to $734/month in Lexington — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Golden is more affordable at $125,500 median vs $171,600.

Median household income in Golden is $55,875 compared to $98,676 in Lexington (-43.4%). While Lexington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Golden spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Lexington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53°F vs 52.3°F). Lexington receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 36.4" in Golden.