Hardin, IL vs Steward, IL

The cost of living difference between Hardin, IL and Steward, IL is dramatic. Hardin is 37.2% cheaper than Steward, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hardin has a cost index of 53 while Steward sits at 85, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hardin is $417/month compared to $1,281/month in Steward — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hardin is more affordable at $90,500 median vs $151,000.

Median household income in Hardin is $85,417 compared to $108,333 in Steward (-21.2%). The higher salaries in Steward partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hardin spend roughly 5.9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.2% in Steward.

Climate-wise, Hardin is notably warmer with an average of 56.1°F compared to 47.8°F in Steward. Hardin receives more rainfall at 39.4" per year compared to 37.4" in Steward.