Hardin, IL vs Montrose, IL

Hardin, IL and Montrose, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Hardin scores 53 while Montrose scores 56 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 Hardin is $417/month compared to $393/month in Montrose — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Montrose has cheaper rent, Hardin actually has lower median home values ($90,500 vs $125,000).

Median household income in Hardin is $85,417 compared to $54,821 in Montrose (+55.8%). Hardin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hardin spend roughly 5.9% of their income on rent, less than the 8.6% in Montrose.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.1°F vs 53.4°F). Hardin receives more rainfall at 39.4" per year compared to 36" in Montrose.