Harvard, IL vs New Baden, IL

New Baden is moderately more affordable than Harvard, with a 7.5% lower cost of living index. Harvard scores 86 compared to 80 for New Baden, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harvard can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harvard is $1,184/month compared to $1,110/month in New Baden — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Baden is more affordable at $160,600 median vs $174,000.

Median household income in Harvard is $71,418 compared to $77,542 in New Baden (-7.9%). New Baden offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Harvard spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in New Baden.

Climate-wise, New Baden is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Harvard. New Baden receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 37.2" in Harvard.