Hartford, IL vs Shelbyville, IL

Hartford, IL and Shelbyville, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Hartford scores 67 while Shelbyville scores 65 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 Hartford is $925/month compared to $724/month in Shelbyville — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelbyville has cheaper rent, Hartford actually has lower median home values ($65,800 vs $111,200).

Median household income in Hartford is $39,364 compared to $54,400 in Shelbyville (-27.6%). Shelbyville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hartford spend roughly 28.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Shelbyville.

Climate-wise, Hartford is notably warmer with an average of 57.4°F compared to 53.4°F in Shelbyville. Hartford receives more rainfall at 41.7" per year compared to 36" in Shelbyville.