Grand Ridge, IL vs New Athens, IL

New Athens is moderately more affordable than Grand Ridge, with a 8.8% lower cost of living index. Grand Ridge scores 77 compared to 71 for New Athens, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Grand Ridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grand Ridge is $1,023/month compared to $927/month in New Athens — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Athens is more affordable at $118,100 median vs $154,200.

Median household income in Grand Ridge is $84,375 compared to $61,477 in New Athens (+37.2%). While Grand Ridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grand Ridge spend roughly 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.1% in New Athens.

Climate-wise, New Athens is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Grand Ridge. New Athens receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 33.8" in Grand Ridge.